Podunk Bluegrass: Sponsorship Information

Since its inaugural year of 1996, the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival has brought the best in Bluegrass music to central Connecticut, drawing attendees from all over the Northeast and beyond. Tens of thousands of people have enjoyed exquisitely played acoustic music in the idyllic setting of East Hartford’s Martin Park. Over the years, Podunk has featured many nationally (and internationally) known artists, including Emmylou Harris, The David Grisman Quintet, the Original Seldom Scene, Jonathan Edwards, Laurie Lewis, Claire Lynch, and Dale Ann Bradley. Bluegrass legends Ralph Stanley, Vassar Clements, and the late John Hartford have all graced our stages for return engagements. Podunk’s lineups of entertainers are filled out with the best in local and regional bluegrass and acoustic music performers.

THE MUSIC:

The Festival Committee- a dedicated group of local volunteers- has already been hard at work on the Annual Podunk Festival. Our lineup for 2008 already includes:

Auldridge, Lester and Ferguson with Gail Wade, Kene Hyatt and Marc Roy (MD)

Blue Moon Rising (TN)

Cadillac Sky (TX)

Cherryholmes (TN)

Claire Lynch Band (TN)

Dale Ann Bradley Band (KY)

Dailey & Vincent Band (TN)

Dan Paisley & Southern Grass (PA)

Gravity (Sweden)

The Infamous Stringdusters (TN)

Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show (TX)

Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson & Jerry Salley (TN)

The Larry Stephenson Band (TN)

Nothin' Fancy (TN) - Thursday

Pine Mountain Railroad (TN)

SteelDrivers (TN)

Tony Trischka Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular and special guests (NY)

As usual, we’ll be bringing in some great regional acts, including Blistered Fingers (ME), The Muellers (ME), and our 2007 Band Competition Winners Joy Kills Sorrow (MA).

We expect some surprises on stage as our performers share the stage with each other. The festival will close on Sunday with the 2nd Annual Band Competition.

The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival will present the best in bluegrass music on one Main Stage over four days. Throughout the festival, we will offer workshops with the headlining musicians, allowing fans to observe and learn from their musical idols in an intimate setting. Open stage jam sessions allow the festivalgoers to display their talents, and we will be offering cash prizes to amateur musicians in competitions for banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.

THE FESTIVAL:

The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is no mere concert- it is a fully participatory event! Besides listening to, learning about, and playing great music, festivalgoers enjoy a wide range of additional activities. Our food court vendors cater to every taste- from burgers and fries, to fresh lobster rolls, to ice cream and fried dough. A supervised children’s area will feature a moonwalk, a variety of games, arts & crafts, puppet shows, magic, and other entertainment. Our festival village features a number of vendors selling clothing, crafts, and other items. The “Podunk Trading Post” will be selling Podunk Festival memorabilia as well as CDs by our featured artists.

A defining feature of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is our on-site camping area. Martin Park can accommodate hundreds of RV or tent sites. Festivalgoers may camp in the park for up to four nights. (Although no electrical or water hookups are available, running water and hot showers are located adjacent to the camping area.) Throughout the festival, and long into each night, groups of festivalgoers gather to play bluegrass. Occasional surprise appearances by the headlining musicians make the “campground pickin’” a highlight of the event.

The festival is organized and run by a dedicated corps of volunteers who keep the music flowing on stage, everything running smoothly backstage, and make sure the festivalgoers have the best possible time. The hardworking staff of the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department maintains the park throughout the event. Police and emergency medical personnel are on-site throughout the event.

PODUNK FACTS:

Expected attendance for four days between 3,000 and 5,000 people.
The Greater Hartford venue offers a unique combination of highway accessibility and an attractive, safe setting that will draw families.
The venue is well located: 500,000 people live within 15 minutes of the festival site, with excellent access to two major interstates.
The active co-sponsorship of the Town of East Hartford will provide financial stability, quality music, and market access that smaller, private festivals cannot attain.
The Main Stage area alone covers approximately 3.2 acres.
6.2 acres of on-site parking will accommodate over 1000 cars. Additional parking with shuttle service is located close by.
The large camping area, surrounded by trees, can accommodate over 200 RV or tent sites.
Two national chain hotels are within one mile of the festival site.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

“This year’s performing roster is typical of the quality that has made the Podunk Music Festival a nationally recognized event.” Steve Starger, The Journal Inquirer.

“As East Hartford wrapped up its seventh annual Podunk festival... more than 1000 people converged on the lawn to listen to some of Bluegrass’ big names while others stole some strumming time with them off stage. Try getting Ozzy Osbourne to do that after his Ozzfest.” Joann Klimkiewicz, The Hartford Courant.

“It’s just laid back. People here are mellow... they’re here to enjoy the music. It’s like a big family.” David Bergeron, quoted in The Hartford Courant.

“The audience is really responsive, and it’s a great atmosphere.” Shauna Larkin of The Larkin Family Band

“Again….thank you, We love it up there...you all are so friendly.” Vicki Simmons

“Podunk was one of our favorites and do hope we can work something out that we can get back there. Great place and I am so happy to hear that it was a good venue this year and it will go on for years to come.” Anthony Harrington

“I just wanted to write and say thanks for everything, we had a great time at your festival! Everything was just great! Thanks so much for everything! And we look forward to maybe coming back and playing at your festival again sometime! Thanks so much.” Janice Martin (www.bluegrassmartins.com)

Outrageous Hospitality! From my perspective, Podunk was a smashing success ... you should all be very proud of the job you did this year. Paul LeMay, New England Fiddle Contest
The festival has really taken-off, bluegrass fans can count on Podunk to have a great festival.” Kim

“The Podunk provided us with a great lift. It brings together a warm, friendly collection of folks. It reminds me a lot of pro baseball, which I have been a part of for over 20 years. Baseball people, like bluegrass people, are a great fraternity. Thanks to all involved for being a gracious host to a truly magnificent event.” Ken Lipshez

“As a spectator and performer it was the best festival I have attended. Jim Weisser
We have been to a good many bluegrass festivals over the years, and would have to say that the quality, atmosphere and friendliness of your festival was right up there with the best of them.” Hank Childs

BLUEGRASS FACTS:

In a recent survey, over 55 million Americans identified themselves as bluegrass fans.
More than 75% of bluegrass fans live outside of the music's native southern U.S.
The audience for bluegrass music grew faster than any other music genre in a recent seven-year period.
Over 900 radio stations program bluegrass music.
Over 500 bluegrass festivals are held annually, on four continents.
70% of bluegrass fans are between 18 and 49, with men and women equally represented.
Surveys of bluegrass fans have indicated that they are predominantly upper-income, family oriented, with interests in home improvement, camping, and other outdoor activities.

EXPOSURE:

Publicity and ticket sales for the 13th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival began in the fall of 2007. Our marketing strategy includes:

National print advertising:

Bluegrass Now: 12,500 circulation.

Dirty Linen: 42,000 circulation.

Bluegrass Unlimited: 100,000 + readership.

Regional Advertising:

The Hartford Courant

The Hartford Advocate

The Valley Advocate

The Journal Inquirer (Manchester, CT)

The East Hartford Gazette

WWUH 91.3 FM

WHUS 91.7 FM

Press kits about the Podunk Festival will be sent to 100 regional media outlets in spring 2008.

Posters and flyers are distributed to more than 20 college campuses in the region, and to dozens of local and regional businesses.

Podunk “ambassadors” appear at dozens of bluegrass & folk music concerts and events throughout the year, distributing flyers and selling tickets.

Information about our festival is posted on dozens of bluegrass-oriented and tourism websites. The festival hosts its own website at: podunkbluegrass.net.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Presenting Sponsor

The presenting sponsor will be highlighted in all Festival publicity and publications, as well as during the event with numerous logo banners on-site and frequent stage announcements. The Festival will be publicized as “The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival presented by _________________.

The presenting sponsor’s logo will appear across the front of the main stage and on all Podunk volunteer staff T-shirts. The presenting sponsor will receive 100 complimentary tickets to the Festival ($7,500 value). Special access to the VIP hospitality area during the event, including complimentary food and beverage for 15 individuals. Logo will be displayed with hyperlink on Podunk Bluegrass website for 10 months.

Main Stage Sponsor

The Main Stage sponsor will be highlighted in all Festival publicity and publications, as well as during the event with numerous logo banners on-site and frequent stage announcements. The Festival will be publicized as “The (Your Company Name) Main Stage. The main stage sponsor’s logo will appear across the front of the main stage and secondarily on all Podunk volunteer staff T-shirts. The main stage sponsor will receive 50 complimentary tickets to the Festival ($3,750 value) and access to the VIP hospitality area during the event, including complimentary food and beverage for 10 individuals. Logo will be displayed with hyperlink on Podunk Bluegrass website for 5 months.

Main stage sponsorships are offered to organizations that can commit a minimum of $10,000 to the Festival. The specific components of the sponsorship package will be adjusted according to the total commitment amount and the promotional needs of the sponsor.

Gold Sponsor

Gold sponsorships will be used to fund specific areas of festival operations, including the Campground, Family Activity Area, Workshops, Instrumental Competitions, VIP Hospitality Area, and Volunteer Operations. These areas will be linked with the sponsor’s name in all Festival publicity; e.g., “Podunk Banjo Contest sponsored by (your company name.) ”Gold sponsors receive secondary identity in festival promotions and publications, and will be acknowledged on site with banners, stage announcements, and logo visibility on volunteer staff shirts. Gold Sponsors will receive at least 25 complimentary tickets to the event, and access to the VIP hospitality area with food and beverage for 5 individuals. Website listing on sponsors page with hyperlink to sponsors website.

Gold sponsorships are offered to organizations that can commit a minimum of $2500 to the Festival. The specific components of the sponsorship package will be adjusted according to the total commitment amount and the promotional needs of the sponsor.

Other Sponsorship Opportunities

Any sponsors donating $500 or more to the festival will receive identity in the official festival guide, on-site banners and stage announcements, and 10 complimentary festival tickets. The value to each sponsor will be adjusted according to the commitment amount and the needs of the individual sponsor.

In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted. The Podunk Festival is in need of building materials, food and beverages, camping gear & supplies, two-way radios, on and off site transportation, T-shirt and cap production, office supplies and duplication services. If your organization can donate these or any other goods or services that the festival may need, please contact us to discuss your in-kind sponsorship in detail.

PRODUCT SAMPLING:

The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival presents several options for organizations wishing to distribute product samples or information. “Goodie bags” are presented to all festivalgoers at the gate and in the campground, and sponsors can be given a tent and table from which to present their products or services. If your organization would like to expose your product to the bluegrass audience, please contact us to discuss your options in detail.

CONTACT THE PODUNK BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL

We hope that the information we’ve provided has convinced you that a sponsorship donation to the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is a sound investment for your organization. If you’re ready to make a sponsorship commitment, or if you’d like to discuss the Festival or your sponsorship opportunities in greater detail, please contact us as soon as possible.

C. Roger Moss
Director of Parks and Recreation, Town of East Hartford
Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival
50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108
crmoss@ci.east-hartford.ct.us
Telephone (860) 282-8241