YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
More than 35,000 delighted Ozarkians enjoyed superb weather on Walnut Street May 1 and 2 during Artsfest. The attendance easily surpassed last year's record crowd of 30,000.
Great weather, super artists and craftspeople, City Utility's Paint by Numbers Bus, Historic Performers from "Voices From the Past," the Children's Stage and additional hands-on activities for young people all contributed to the crowds and fun.
These are just some of the new and interesting factors that contributed to the huge success of this year's annual event on Walnut Street.
Barb Baker, marketing and events coordinator for the Urban Districts Alliance, said there were more than 150 artists representing 10 states.
"This year's Artsfest also featured over 500 performers on a variety of stages, from the Park Board Show Wagon, to porch performers and street artists," Baker said.
Baker said that the addition of the historic performers from Heritage Tourism's "Voices From the Past" program was a popular new attraction.
"Voices From the Past" is managed by Heritage Tourism of the Ozarks, and the group of volunteers reenacts historic characters from Springfield's past during the annual event held each October at Maple Park Cemetery.
One of the most popular new hands-on activities was the paint-by-numbers City Utilities bus.
"Other festivals have had good success with similar activities, and the bus was completely painted long before the weekend was over. We could probably have painted another bus during the weekend," Baker said
Baker said the crowds were pleased with the quality and the quantity of the arts on display. Those artists invited have had their work juried by a group of their peers.
As in past years, the booths were protected under gaily colored blue tents arranged along both sides of Walnut Street from National Avenue to John Q. Hammons Parkway. The street was closed to vehicle traffic, and at times it seemed to bulge at the curbs from the throngs of festive people.
The Children's Area was one of the most popular areas at the festival. The children's activities are always well received and have been improved and added to each year, Baker said
"Another new idea that worked well this year was the Springfield Area Arts Council Arts Court," Baker said. "This brings together a number of not-for-profit area organizations under one tent, so to speak, and lets the public know what their mission is, what types of volunteer help they need, and the impact they have on the Ozarks neighborhoods."
A new event this year was the Friday evening Artsfest Kick-Off, performed on the Park Board Show Wagon stage. This year's performers began with the Sister Cities troupe from Isesaki, Japan, followed by the local polka-blues-rockabilly band, The Garbonzos. Leon Van Weelden, aka Dr. Goodfoot, then continued the fun with his blend of juggling, acting and puppetry.
Before the Artsfest Kick-Off began at 7 p.m., the annual Ozzie Awards took place on the mezzanine at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The first award went to the Sister City performers from Isesaki, Japan, and their friends in the United States.
The second award went to Dr. David Belcher, dean of the Southwest Missouri State University College of Arts and Letters. After a humorous speech by long-time supporter of the arts Don Wessel, Belcher was awarded a headdress by the Isesaki group, and when he accepted the award, the trophy broke in his hands. In a marvelous recovery, Belcher quipped "I am at once honored and mortified!"
The Artsfest moved to Walnut Street from its founding spot in Phelps Grove Park in 1988, and this was its 11th year on Walnut. The event is followed by a meeting of the staff and volunteers "to assess what worked and what needs improving or changing," Baker said.
After many years of requests received through exit polls, the Artsfest group staged a fall harvest event for the first time last year. Cider Days, to be held Oct. 2 and 3 this year, is a more low-key, harvest-themed event, featuring more food and produce.
The fall event includes a juried crafts show, many of the same performers and artists attend, and the weather is usually mild and predictable. Cider Days is put on by the Discovery Center and managed by the Urban Districts Alliance, but it is not funded by the Springfield Area Arts Council.
Cider Days' hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. It will definitely be a hands-on fall festival. See you on Walnut Street this fall!
(Kenny Knauer is a past organizer of the St. Pat's Parade, a participant with the parks, greenways and open spaces committee of Vision 20/20, and a long-time member and volunteer on the steering committee of Founder's Park.)
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