In 2009, we will be celebrating our 37th year!

FESTIVAL AT THE RIVERFRONT PARK

Festival in the Riverfront Park is well into its fourth decade and still known for the Southern Hospitality, community orientation, family atmosphere and outstanding vendors, on which it was founded in 1973. Held for the first 30 years in Oak Park, the Festival moved to a new home in downtown Montgomery beginning in 2003. The Festival is now held in Riverfront Park, encompassing the area between the historic Union Station Train Shed and the Amphitheatre. No matter which park plays host to the Festival, it has become an event not to be missed on the first Saturday in October?

Founded in 1973 as an opportunity for local artists, craftsmen, and entertainers to exhibit their talents, the Festival has grown from a small community effort to a major attraction. The Festival is run as a cooperative effort between the Festival in the Riverfront Park Association and the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department. Volunteers from the community serve on the Board of Directors and perform all of the necessary functions to make the Festival run smoothly. The City provides support through use of the park, administrative personnel, and maintenance assistance.

Both sponsoring organizations have made a special commitment to the community that has been home to the Festival since its inception, by establishing two special activities that run in conjunction with the Festival. Early risers are invited to participate in the Acorn Run and Family Fun Run/Walk, held in the early morning hours of Festival Saturday. Later in the day, throughout the hours of Festival, local media personalities will compete in the "Go Out On A Limb... Fight Domestic Abuse" Media Contest, and proceeds from both activities will go to support the fight against Domestic Abuse through the Family Sunshine Center.

While the Festival maintains a strong interest in local artists and craftsmen, this juried show has become attractive to many artisans from across the Southeast. The Festival requires that handcrafted items be exhibited, and only award winners from the previous year are exempt from the jury process. Winners are selected by a panel of judges, and ribbons and up to $5,000.00 are awarded each year, with special recognition for truly outstanding work.

All exhibitors are welcomed to the Festival by hosts and hostesses and a hospitality booth provides cold drinks for those who get thirsty during the hours of set-up. Exhibitors who choose to get everything ready on the Friday preceding Festival Saturday are welcomed to a picnic in their honor, hosted by the Festival Association. Everyone joins a local service dub for a light breakfast at the Park on Saturday morning prior to the opening of the show.

For all our years of existence, the Festival has been free to the public, establishing a tradition of offering an inexpensive outing for everyone, and encouraging families to enjoy a day in the park. Security is prevalent throughout the day and ample parking is available for those attending the show. The Festival is accessible for all persons, with access through three main gates. Entertainment is continuous on three stages, with a little bit of everything from bluegrass to big band music, clowns to magicians, singers to karate experts, and cheerleaders to cloggers.

In addition, the Festival has developed a specialized area for children where they can safely enjoy activities just for them. Volunteers staff arts and crafts tables for the youngsters to explore their own creativity, and the City of Montgomery Fire Department provides safety equipment for children to learn about during their visit to the Festival. A Youth Art Gallery, with special art work from young artists in the city school system's third and fourth grades, provides a creative outlet for young artists in the city. Ribbons and certificates are presented to the winners each year.

Food concessions are located throughout the show venue, with local community centers raising funds to support the youth and senior adult programs within the city. Traditional foods such as hamburgers, hotdogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes and cold drinks are always plentiful, and specialty foods like curly fries, shish kabobs, home-baked goods and polish sausage are also available. All funds raised through the Festival concessions are used for community programs and start-up for Festival the next year.

The Festival has grown into a tradition that attracts visitors from many miles around, yet still retains its hometown hospitality and atmosphere. The Festival Association and the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department are excited about the new venue at the Riverfront and continue to look to the future in a cooperative effort to always provide a great experience for both exhibitors and visitors. With the involvement of these two organizations, and the support of over 200 volunteers, the Festival in The Riverfront Park will continue as the place to be on the first Saturday in October.