YOUNGSTOWN — Shelby Olive may have learned a rather unorthodox way of handling and playing the ukulele, but it’s part and parcel of a musical style she has carved out — well, sort of.

“I grew up in musical theater. I like to call my genre ‘musical theater pop,'” Olive, of Stow, explained.

For her 30-minute set, Olive had the opportunity to do just that, because she was among the 24 local and regional musical acts that were on four stages to showcase their talents in 30- to 60-minute sets for the ninth annual Federal Frenzy on Saturday on East Federal Street, downtown.

Partners for the nine-hour family-friendly fest were Youngstown State University’s Penguin Productions, the Youngstown Flea and “The Summit” radio stations, including WKTL-FM 90.7 in Struthers, which helped book many of the bands.

Penguin Productions debuted in 2006 to “create a significant experience for YSU students to create longstanding memories of their college experiences,” Erin Driscoll, YSU’s executive director of student experiences and residency life, said.

Olive, a self-taught musician who has a penchant for sometimes playing the ukulele upside down, said her main musical influence is Sara Bareilles, who is perhaps best known for her 2007 hit “Love Song.”

“I appreciate her vulnerability in songwriting and saying how she feels in an honest way. That inspires me,” said Olive, who also is a music teacher in the Cuyahoga Falls School District. She plays a lot of original folk pop tunes and began writing songs at age 12.

Taking one of the indoor stages for his half-hour performance was Rami Feinstein, who moved to Akron nine months ago from his native Tel Aviv, Israel. Feinstein said he appreciates WAPS-FM 91.3, the Summit affiliate in Akron, for playing, promoting and supporting his music, which includes an album titled “It’s Gotta Mean Something.”

“It’s about overcoming obstacles and rewriting your own story so it means something for you and other people,” said Feinstein, who also writes his own songs, including one called “Fast.”

Feinstein, who delves in the rock ‘n’ roll, folk and “funky” genres, added that his diverse musical influences include Paul Simon, Sting, James Brown and John Mayer.

A colorful splash of the visual arts also was on display, courtesy of Alex Jesko of Vienna.

“A lot of my work is center-focused. I’m focused on rhythm and flow and the illusion of light in my works,” said Jesko, who also is a curator at the Medici Museum of Art in Howland.

Jesko’s niche includes geometric abstract art in which common images and shapes are repurposed into a whole that tells its own story. In addition, he creates and places his own spin on op-art, a style that was popular in the 1960s.

During the Federal Frenzy, Jesko was busy creating and building upon a colorful architectural landscape – something for which he received a hand from 7-year-old Leighton Bianco of Austintown.

“She loves art and she loves live music,” Leighton’s mother, Delanie Bianco, said.

Numerous vendors as part of Youngstown Flea were selling merchandise that included scented soaps, acrylic pins, tie-dyed clothing, varieties of fudge and apparel for dogs.

Those looking to buy items at the indoor market also were treated to a rather dynamic practice performance from Shiloh Hart and Grayson McCrory of Niles and Ambridge, Pa., respectively.

Both of them rehearsed the lyrics to “Take Me or Leave Me,” for their parts in the upcoming play “Rent,” which will be staged Thursday to April 30 at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

Hart owns a performing-arts academy at Kent State University at Trumbull, where she works with students in preschool through grade 12.

Last year’s Federal Frenzy drew about 7,500 to West Federal Street, where three stages had been assembled, Driscoll recalled, adding that she’s pleased with the 24 acts that converted East Federal Street to an outdoor musical landscape.

“There’s not an act here that I’m not happy to have on stage,” she said.