By Holly A. Jones
special to pop
"It takes a truly united community to raise a successful music festival," says Jonathan Fowler, Norman Music Festival committee president. "Last year, we had more than 40 sponsors ranging from local businesses to individuals who put together funds and made the first annual Norman Music Festival a successful debut."
Fowler says for this year's festival, the committee has worked hard at finding more nationally recognized companies who have supported music festivals across the United States as well as the original sponsors from last year. To date, Wimgo.com, Fowler Auto Group, Marc Heitz Chevy, Massive Graphics, Republic Bank and Trust and Arvest Bank all have returned for the upcoming 2009 festival.
"From a business standpoint, we see the potential economic impact of this festival for Norman in future years, such as the tremendous financial impact of South by Southwest in Austin and D-fest in Tulsa," says Charles Hollingsworth, senior vice president for Arvest Bank.
The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau says D-fest brings visitors to the region from surrounding cities and states, which creates an opportunity to leave thousands of impressions and generate repeat visitors. Distinctive events, like D-fest, give cities an added characteristic. D-fest is still a young festival, making its debut in 2002.
The SXSW 2007's music conference had more than a $26 million dollar economic impact on the city of Austin, based on the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau's convention and trade show formula. SXSW has been around since 1987 and branched out from music to add a film and interactive conference to the festival.
Fowler says the festival committee is working with the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau in getting an analysis of visitors who come to Norman for the festival. Finding out this information is crucial in getting sponsors for the festival each year.
This year's music festival will welcome a semitrailer that opens up to a large stage to become the J?germeister Mobile Stage. This stage will stretch out across Porter along Main Street. Red Bull has signed on and will sponsor the artist and hospitality area for the festival.
The second annual Norman Music Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, April 25. The festival is free and open to the public and will take place on the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of historic Downtown East Main Street, east of the railroad tracks in the Downtown Arts District.
We are actively seeking sponsors for the 2009 festival. To become involved with this year's festival, contact the Norman Arts Council at 360-1162. For more information on the Norman Music Festival, visit www.normanmusicfestival.com.
