How to become a member…Contact Sherilyn Jones at 887-2170. The dues are:
Households: $25.00
Business & Professional (based on number of employees): $50.00 - $250.00
Industries & Banks: $500.00
Patrons: $1000.00
Organizations & Churches: $50.00
The Indianola Open Air Market has closed for the 2009 but will reopen in May of 2010. The Market was GREAT this year and Main Street appreciates all the vendors and artists that made the Indianola Open Air Market a SUCCESS!! See you next year…
Created by: Famous Cartoonist, Mark Pett
IMS President:Maggie Barnes & IMS Program Resource Coordinator: Angela Simpson
Thursday, January 29, 2009
2009 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS COORDINATORS WORKSHOP
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Indianola Main Street President Maggie Barnes and Program Resource Coordinator Angela Simpson were in attendance for the 2009 Festivals and Events Coordinators Workshop held at the B.B. King Museum & Delta Blues Interpretive Center. The workshop focused on these topics: Planning Successful Events; Funding Your Festival & Promotions; and Getting the Word Out. Participants travelled from as far south as Biloxi to as far north as Clarksdale to learn how to incorporate a more effective approach to “attracting, converting and keeping” a successful festival or event year after year. Three guest speakers invited to assist the public in achieving that goal were Hundley Batts, Holly Lange, and Nan Hughes.
According to the Mississippi Arts Commission/Mississippi Development Authority-Tourism research information stated, “Hundley Batts is co-owner and operator of Broadcast One, parent company of five Huntsville, Alabama radio stations. A veteran organizer, Batts is founder of the Black Arts Festival and the Huntsville Heritage Foundation’s Big Spring Jam. He has a background in community advocacy programs and more than a decade of broadcast radio experience.” Batts organizes the Black Arts Festival in Huntsville, Alabama on the campus of Alabama A& M annual. Batts focused on three main points to having an admissions free event which included forming partnerships with these:
· Local media
· Local grocery stores
· A major beverage company
“Holly Lange operates Lange Management, a Jackson-based company specializing in event planning, fundraising and public relations. She has helped organize many events of various sizes, including the opening of the B.B. King Museum, Jubilee! JAM, and the Crossroads Film Festival.” Asking for money is one of the major realities an organizer must consider submitting to, especially for fundraisers. Lange said, “There’s a way you do anything. If you are looking for a business to sponsor an event you must know when, where, and how to do it. Here’s a list to consider when asking for sponsorship:
· Only ask sponsor for a comfortable amount.
· Tell sponsor briefly about the event.
· Sell the story in ten minutes.
· Look sponsor in the eye. Ask for the amount.
· Await a response.
· Always send hand written ‘Thank You’ Card
“Nan Hughes owns Pharr Brothers Advertising. She is president of the Clarksdale Downtown Development Association and co-organizer of Juke Joint Festival. Hughes also organizes several Clarksdale community programs.” Hughes & Roger Stolle (Owner-Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art in Clarksdale) discussed the efforts of promoting a low budget festival Inferences were placed solely on utilizing volunteers, branding your event and involving the community support.
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Indianola Open Air Farmers’ Market Cultivating Delta Soil/Souls
Entering into the third season, Indianola Main Street-IMS (Indianola Open Air Market-IOAM), has been working diligently to establish a productive farmers’ market. The purpose for the IOAM is to sell and buy from local farmers, however, the expectations are not limited to farmers simply making a profit or customers purchasing the goods.. The purpose extends to cultivating the fertile minds of the citizens in the community who long to bridge the gap in socializing. There are several different ways to achieve the goal of embracing the buying and selling of home-grown products, especially when the organization is equipped with the resources necessary.
The United States Department of Agriculture awarded Indianola Main Street with a USDA Farmers’ Market Promotions Grant for 2009 in the amount of $35,000. With resources available for 2009, IMS along with the B.B. King Museum staff members have already made an agreement to move the upcoming farmers’ market from downtown Indianola to the B.B. King Museum parking lot. The B.B. King Museum staff have also agreed to incorporate the farmers’ market advertisement from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
IMS President, Maggie Barnes (Bill Richardson Civic Alliance Partner) stated, “We are looking forward to moving forward in efforts to have a successful season in our new location. Indianola Open Air Market is here and it’s here to stay. Delta, get ready for a good time right here in Indianola at the B.B. King Museum . I promise you will come back for more fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts.”
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