ince
1964,
Festival in the Park
has been bringing good music, good art and good times to
Charlotteans and visitors from around the world. The sounds of "big band
music" drift across Freedom Park's lake whose still surface reflects the
lights strung from Camelot exhibit tents.
The scents of a
variety of food
fill the air, as
small children
with painted faces happily produce their first art work.
Others find the many talented
artists who can
create an original work of art to grace their home or to
give as the perfect gift.
First time visitors are taken by the simple, relaxed
atmosphere. Old timers marvel at
the freshness of each
year's offerings, as memories from long ago festivals
are
revisited.
Unlike most festivals our lighting system
allows us to continue into the night.
This fun filled event is designed to promote and
stimulate interest in the arts. It provides the
opportunity for all to see, hear, and learn from over
150 artists and crafts people who actively demonstrate
and display their art.
Nearly a thousand
entertainers
provide free ongoing performances at the main band shell
and many stages surrounding it.
Festival in the Park was selected as one of Southeast
Tourism Society's Top
20 Events for the month of September 2011! In past years, Festival in
the Park has also been chosen as one of Sunshine Artists Magazine's 200 BEST
festivals.
In years past, visitors to Festival in the Park typically exceeded 85,000
each year. However in 2012, it was estimated that 160,000 attended the
Festival.
The Festival is made possible by many groups and
individuals. A sampling of the
organizations who
actively participate in bringing art and entertainment
to the Festival are Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools,
Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Carolina Raptor Center, the
Carolina Clowns,
the
Magicians'
Stage,
the
Charlotte Folk Society,
the
Actors Crib and the
Jazz Arts
Initiative.
We welcome them and the many others who help make the
Festival possible.
We encourage all groups and individuals to participate
and get involved with Festival in the Park!!
Freedom Park Tribute
DID YOU KNOW….?
Festival in
the Park has been ranked as one of the Top 200 Festivals in the entire
U.S. by Sunshine Artists Magazine.
Festival in
the Park is a non-profit organization, which relies on public and
private donations for funding of its operations.
The Festival
offers interactive, educational and hands-on opportunities for all
children.
Except for
one full-time office employee and several seasonal employees, the
Festival is produced by volunteers and the co-operation of Mecklenburg
County Park & Recreation.
Volunteering
at Festival is a great way to fulfill Community Service Hours required
by many schools and businesses.
Historically,
Festival in the Park visitors typically exceed 100,000 visitors each
year.
Seventy-two
percent of the Festival-goers live within Charlotte's city limits.
Seventy-seven
percent have come back from a previous year; fourteen percent
interviewed have attended for twenty years.
Exhibiting
artists compete for cash prizes and ribbons.
A majority of
the artists who participate are from the Charlotte area and have won
many awards on the national level at other festivals.
Some artists
come from as far away as Washington State and this year over 21 states
are represented.
Festival in
the Park needs you to bring your special talent and participate as an
artist, performer or as one of the many volunteers!
