The maiden edition of the Taraba State Schools Festival (TARASSFEST) was held in November 2021 in the state capital, Jalingo. The festival, organized by the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, Taraba State Branch, was the first of its kind in the state’s history.

 The festival was sponsored primarily by the Taraba State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), with the support of the Education Resource Centre.

The festival had over ten categories, with several plaques and cash prizes won by students, teachers, and schools. The competition is an annual event that promotes intercultural, religious, and ethnic harmony among students, who are the future leaders of society.

TARASSFEST is an offshoot of the annual Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival which is held in Minna, annually.