By Maria King, Owner/President Events Crazy and GRANDmom extraordinaire
Soap Box time! Ok I heard the groans but really, it’s not too bad. Last week I talked about things that you could do to try and stay safe and make your event experience a good one. But this week I wanted to turn the tables and ask you to help support the future of your local events. I am not talking about purely financial support through monetary contribution but genuine support that can take multiple forms.
When I talk about “local events”, I am not talking about professional concerts where, in addition to the enormous ticket prices, the ticket company also rakes in huge ticket fees. I am talking about your community events, fund raisers, county and state fairs and local festivals; events that depend on your participation and money to survive. I am concerned about the pressure the economy is placing these events. More and more long-running events are shuttering their gates because the economics are not working in their favor. It is these events that I am asking you to help support. As I have said so many times, events are the life blood of a community. We have already lost our main streets and downtowns as places to gather with our community, if we lose our community events, we will have lost something precious that we might never get back. So this week make a point of attending some local events to show your support. Big and small events held in your community are all looking to survive another year. Try to find a street fair and patronize the merchants, attend a free movie night and make a donation or go to a fair in your area which has been going on, in many cases, for over 100 years to help insure that it’s around for another 100 years.
Support and contributions can come in many different forms. If money is also an issue for you in these tough times, please consider volunteering. Many events in the US have over 1000 volunteers. That’s right over 1000; this years’ US Open boasted over 5000. There is always room for one more. If the events had to pay for the services that volunteers contribute, they could never do it. So volunteering is a great way to show your local events that you want to see them around for generations to come.
Whatever your contribution is, please be sure to make it special. Recruit friends and family and make it an event within an event. As always, if the events I have listed here are geographically impossible for you to attend, please use the search box above find something fun and rewarding to do this week. By helping out your favorite local events, you are making it possible for your own children and grandchildren to have the opportunity to enjoy them the same way that you have been enjoying them all these years.
Aug 03, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Central Business District Fremont, CA94538
Since 1984. The Fremont Festival of the Arts hosts a wide variety of activities and entertainment for the entire family; over 700 top-quality artisan booths delight the most discerning shoppers, music lovers enjoy continuous music featured on three stages, children are thrilled with the many games and activities found in “KidCity”, and Gourmet Marketplace offers gourmet specialties for the discerning cook. The best news of all, admission to the Festival is free.
375,000 Attendees
Anacortes Arts Festival
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Downtown Anacortes Anacortes, WA98221
Since 1962, celebration of the arts with an invitational and juried fine art show with over 250 exhibitors, children’s area, musical entertainment, beer garden, food court and over 50 vintage vehicles will be on display. Takes place at various locations.
75,000 Attendees
Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival
Aug 01, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Amish Acres Nappanee, IN46550
Since 1962, Artists and craftspersons display their wares around a pond. Three entertainment stages plus roaming entertainment and numerous food booths. Over five decades the festival has earned the respect of talented artisans from across the country because of its sales history, commitment to quality, juried products and family friendly but business-oriented approach to show management. The show is limited to approximately 300 booth spaces, with nearly 250 cities in over 30 states represented by exhibitors.
70,000 Attendees
Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival
Jul 19, 2013 – Aug 05, 2013
Pro Football Hall of Fame Canton, OH44708
A two week long event featuring football’s greatest names and the excitement of the hall of famers. Enjoy all of the football related exhibits and bring an appetite for the food. The last Saturday the enshrinement ceremony takes place and the last Sunday the Hall of Fame game is held at Fawcett Stadium. Events take place throughout Canton over a two week period. The Drum Corps International Competition at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in nearby Massillon on the last day is the final event.
700,000 Attendees
Virginia Highlands Festival
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 11, 2013
Virginia Highland Community College Abingdon, VA24212
Since 1949. Experience the culture of Virginia Blue Ridge Highlands, through arts and crafts, antiques, photography. The event has grown so much and preserves the arts, crafts and skills that developed in this region, but also imports talented artist and performers from all over the USA and the world for the enjoyment of area residents and visitors.Drama, concerts, tours and nature walks.
200,000 Attendees
Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Jul 31, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Downtown Santa Barbara, CA93101
One of Santa Barbaras’ biggest event features a children’s parade, Spanish markets, carnival, stock horse show and rodeo and dancing. Fiesta performers come from around the nation and Mexico to participate. Takes place at various locations.
250,000 Attendees
Maine Lobster Festival
Jul 31, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Harbor Park Rockland, ME04841
Since 1948, celebrate the regions heritage with thousands of pounds of Maine lobster. The festival also features exhibits, arts and crafts, boat rides, childrens activities and more. Special events include Maine sea goddess coronation pageant and parade.
90,000+ Attendees
Decatur Celebration
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Downtown Area Decatur, IL 62523
Since 1986, stretching for 22 blocks and including the CivicCenter parking lot, Downstate Illinois largest street fair takes place. Family festival featuring live big name entertainment on several stages, arts and crafts booths, flavorful food, strolling entertainers, activities for children, giant carnival, parade and more.
300,000 Attendees
Musikfest
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 11, 2013
Downtown Bethlehem Bethlehem, PA18018
Since 1984. Downtown Bethlehem is host to one of the country’s premiere music events. The festival, which showcases nearly every musical style imaginable, features: 1,000 performances – the vast majority of which are free. More than 300 performers from across the country and around the globe. Musical programming at 14 different indoor and outdoor stages. 10 great nights of headline entertainment. Mouth-watering foods, plenty of children’s fun and activities and a spectacular closing-night fireworks display. For hundreds of thousands, Musikfest has become a magical experience, one they look forward to year after year.
Feast of the Blessed Sacrament
Aug 01, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Madiera Field New Bedford, MA02746
Since 1915, this Portuguese feast is one of the largest ethnic festivals held in New England, celebrate with traditional foods, entertainment, 5K road race and cultural activities. Ethnic music and dancing plus children’s activities and a parade on Sunday at 2pm.
300,000 Attendees
Annual Art and Soul Festival
Aug 03, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Frank Ogawa Plaza and surrounding streets Oakland, CA 94612
Since 2000, enjoy 40 bands on four major stages plus a multicultural dance stage. Rock, Jazz, Blues, RandB, Gospel and more are featured on the eclectic entertainment roster. Exotic foods. An artisan marketplace. The Oakland Literature Expo featuring acclaimed EastBay authors and poets. Fun Zone for kids of all ages.
80,000 Attendees
Youngstown Italian Festival
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
Downtown Youngstown, OH44599
Traditional Italian festival with renowned performances over twenty Italian bands, pageants, classic car show, bocca and mooa tournaments, outdoor Sunday Mass, Food booths, rides, games, petting zoo.
50,000 Attendees
Taste of the Coeur d’Alene’s
Aug 02, 2013 – Aug 04, 2013
City Park Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
Since 1988. This popular events features over 25 food booths and over 100 artists from across the West with their fine arts and crafts, musical entertainment and more. Taste of Coeur D’Alene has become one of the Inland Northwest’s favorite festivals. Coeur D’Alene city park, on beautiful LakeCoeur D’Alene, is the ideal location for this event festival features fine arts and crafts al fresco. The show also features live professional music as well as a variety of quality foods and beverages. Admission to the festival is free to the public.
50,000 Attendees
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter
or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
Copyright © 1998-2013 Events Media Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Photos are copyright of their respective owners.