Springfield Regional Arts Council takes administrative role for Cider Days festival

The Springfield Regional Arts Council is taking on an administrative role for the annual Cider Days festival for the Downtown Springfield Association.

The 28th installment of the annual arts and crafts festival, which takes place on historic Walnut Street, is slated for Sept. 19-20 this year.

Sarah Abele, SRAC director of programming and events, confirmed in an email this morning that both organizations’ boards had approved the fee-for-services agreement.

Leslie Forrester, SRAC executive director, said taking on administration of Cider Days will help the arts council to diversify its revenue.

SRAC and the Downtown Springfield Association have long collaborated on Artsfest, a 45-year-strong fine arts festival held each spring within the same downtown footprint, Forrester said, but she clarified that the arts council has not previously had a role in Cider Days.

Forrester said the DSA would be paying a fee to participate in the event – similar to the longtime arrangement for SRAC to pay to participate in Artsfest. That relationship endedthis year, with SRAC taking on full ownership of Artsfest.

Forrester declined to disclose the financial terms of the agreement, saying she needed approval from her board before sharing specifics.

“The thing we’re most excited about is the ability for us to focus on and celebrate the arts and particularly the folk arts of the Ozarks,” Forrester said. “We’re eager to honor that history and the unique culture of the region.”

Forrester said it can be a challenge to differentiate between the two festivals – both celebrating the arts, and both taking place on historic Walnut Street.

“We’re leaning into folk arts for Cider Days, compared to fine arts for Artsfest, but that line’s pretty blurry – to us, the arts are the arts, but that’s the kind of vibe that visitors will be able to see,” she said.

She added that the event will feature various demonstrations, with many details still being worked out.

“It’s going to be different and familiar at the same time,” Forrester said.

The Downtown Springfield Association has just one employee, Executive Director Crystal Quade, and is looking to streamline its programming, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Quade told SBJ this morning that her organization does not intend to staff up in a large way until it is clear what the community wants from the organization.

“SRAC had done amazing with their events, and they’ve been great partners of ours over the years,” she said.

Quade, like Forrester, declined to disclose financial terms of the arrangement, and she added that some details, like sponsorships, are still being worked out, so a solid number is not available.

Last year’s Cider Days festival netted close to $90,000 after expenses, she said.

Quade said the DSA would continue to provide insurance, secure partnerships and handle permitting for the event. It will also share the load during the event.

“I truly am excited about this partnership,” she said. “This year is going to be a really great event.”