One of the top, fun games at SoberFest was Root Beer Pong. The organizations of Clinton County that support recovery were proud to present the very first SoberFest Thursday, Oct. 9, at Hazlet Olympic Shelter in Carlyle.
This family-friendly event invited the community to come together for a Rural Recovery Revolution — a day dedicated to celebrating recovery, honoring local non-profits and meeting leaders, and strengthening connections within the community.
Organizer Nellie Paskavich opened the event, adding that during that evening, she gave everyone who attended a "gold coin" so they knew how special it was to her.
Nellie Paskavich speaks at the very first SoberFest that was held Oct. 9 in Carlyle. "(Some of you) may never know what it means to get one (a gold coin)," she said. "What you don’t understand about the power of a coin when you’re in a recovery program is that this coin symbolizes the very first day of a new life. It means that you are changing your life; you are getting your life back."
Paskavich has been on the recovery path for 24 years, and her recovery is ongoing. She is currently active with recovery programs in the area, including Take Action Coalition of Clinton County and also is an intern social worker with Coping 4 Life.
Paskavich introduced Stephanie Zimmermann, who also helped with organizing SoberFest.
Zimmermann runs SMART Recovery meetings every week. SMART Recovery is a support group that helps individuals with substance dependencies through peer connection and practical, self-empowering tools.
Zimmermann has been in recovery since 2023. She said she struggled with depression as well as trying to get clean, but something clicked inside her when she met Nellie.
"When we get clean, we have to give up everything to gain everything back," Zimmermann said. "I know this is not easy, and I am forever proud to see the people at the (SMART Recovery) meetings that have gained their life back."
For more information about SMART Recovery, go to https://smartrecovery.org.
The band, Wicked Banjo, donated their services to the event. Several vendors were on hand, including Take Action Coalition of Clinton County, DCFS, Narcotics Anonymous and more. The event was also family-friendly — games and raffles for children who were there. One of the top, fun games for adults was Root Beer Pong. The band, Wicked Banjo, donated their services and brought out classic rock to the event.
Organizers plan to make SoberFest into an annual event. The biggest challenge is trying to tackle the stigma the surrounds addiction and overdose deaths and deaths by suicide.
“The bottom line is restoring people and communities back to where they need to be so we have healthy children, and happy, productive families,” Paskavich said. “We do not want to be overrun by poverty, generational trauma, or substance abuse; we are trying to break some chains.”
Sheridan Jordan, ROSC (Recovery Oriented System of Care) grant coordinator with the Take Action Coalition, said that the event was more than just a festival — it was a celebration of resilience, recovery, and the strength of the rural community.
"SoberFest is a way to show that recovery is possible and worth celebrating," Jordan said.
