Fall 2014 A&P funding requests total over $560,000

Tony Wappel (left) talks with A&P commissioner Ching Mong about his new book, On the Avenue: An Illustrated History of Fayetteville’s US Highway 71B.

Photo: Todd Gill, Flyer staff

The fall 2014 Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission funding requests are in and organizers are seeking a total of $561,522 for 34 planned events or projects.

That’s about $360,000 more than what’s expected to be available for distribution in November, and over $300,000 more than the commission awarded last fall.

The A&P distributes its leftover funds twice each year to organizers requesting financial assistance for events and projects planned in Fayetteville.

Marilyn Heifner, A&P executive director, said she won’t know until next month exactly how much money commissioners will have to distribute using excess funds from the budget, but she expects it to be around $200,000.

Commissioners met with event organizers to discuss their requests during a special meeting held Monday inside the Fayetteville Town Center. The group will meet next month to decide how to divide up the money.

Listed below are the groups requesting funds and a brief description of each event or project.

» See the full application packet

Fall 2014 – New projects requesting funds

1. Alley Scholars Summit – $19,000
   The University of Arkansas will host the 2015 Alley Scholars Summit on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. The all-day event features speakers, workshops and a career fair. Funds received would be used to offset the cost of advertising, meals, awards for participants, and travel expenses for speakers.
2. Dudley Fast-Pitch Championship Series – $8,000
   NWA Legendary Sports would like to move its annual series of fast-pitch softball tournaments to Fayetteville next year. The 3-year-old event has mostly been held in Rogers and Bentonville with some dates in Fayetteville. The group would like $1,000 to purchase tournament awards for each of its eight scheduled dates between March and November 2015.
3. Fayetteville Square Dance – $4,200
   Allison Williams plans to host square dancing events on the last Friday of each month next year in the May Bell Music parking lot. Funds received would be used to pay musicians and promote the event.
4. Friends of the Fayetteville Parks Foundation – $25,000
   A group of citizens, including Phillip McKnight and Sarah Diebold, are forming an initiative called the Friends of the Fayetteville Parks Foundation to raise money to help the city finish building a 200-acre regional park. Funds received would be used for marketing and promotional materials.
5. Little Free Library – $6,450
   The Ozark Literacy Council, NWA AIA, and the Fay Jones School of Architecture have partnered for a literacy outreach campaign to build at least 20 professionally designed Little Free Libraries to be placed in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. A celebration is planned for April 30, 2015 at the Fayetteville Town Center. Funds received would be used for advertising and a 1-to-1 match of $250 in building materials for each library.
6. Mayfest in the Mountains – $5,000
   Rogers Rains explained that Mayfest in the Mountains would return May 1-3, 2015 at Hazel Valley Ranch, about 25 miles southeast of Fayetteville. Funds received would be used to offset costs related to expanding the second-year mountain bike festival to include other activities.
7. Natural State of Health – $5,000
   The Natural State of Health will return May 2, 2015 to the Fayetteville Town Center. The second-year event includes over 30 natural health vendors including massage therapists, chiropractors, dentists and yoga instructors. Funds received would be used to rent the Town Center and offset advertising costs.
8. NWA High School Basketball All Star Showcase – $5,000
   Byron Jenkins and Trandon Moy are planning the inaugural event, set for March 21, 2015 at Fayetteville High School. Funds received would be used for scholarships, awards, game jerseys for participants, and promotional materials.
9. NWA Local Food Guide – $8,000
   Ozark Slow Food plans to print up to 10,000 copies of a local food guide to be distributed free of charge throughout Northwest Arkansas. The book will include lists of farms, farmer markets, restaurants, and other businesses who promote, buy and use local food. Funds received would be used to offset printing costs.
10. “On The Avenue” book – $35,000
    Tony Wappel, Washington County Archivist and Records Manager, who published Once Upon Dickson: An Illustrated History, 1868-2000, has finished another book called, On the Avenue: An Illustrated History of Fayetteville’s US Highway 71B. Funds received would be used to print 500 copies of the book.
11. Ozark Mixology and Cocktail Conference – $10,000
    Jeremey Brown said the inaugural craft cocktail event is planned for May 1-3, 2015 at The Chancellor Hotel in downtown Fayetteville. The free event will be similar to Tales of the Cocktail, held annually in New Orleans. Funds received would be used to offset marketing costs.
12. Razorback Greenway Gran Fondo – $7,500
    William Mertins and Michael Chaffin are planning a cycling event and food festival on Saturday, April 4, 2015 in downtown Fayetteville. The event will be similar to the Little Rock Gran Fondo and Pop on Main food festival. Funds received would be used to offset sales, marketing and operating costs for the event.
13. St. Patrick’s on the Hill – $5,000
    St. Patrick’s on The Hill will return for its fourth year on Saturday, March 14, 2015. The event includes a parade followed by a festival on the downtown square with live music, a craft beer garden and a Stout Brewing Championship. Funds received would be used to promote the event to potential attendees from outside Fayetteville.
14. “Toast and Jam” Celebration – $25,000
    KUAF plans to celebrate its 30th birthday on Dec. 12, 2015 at the Fayetteville Town Center. The event will include performances by folk, blues and jazz musicians. Funds received would be used to rent the Town Center, to employ talent, to rent equipment and staffing, and to offset promotional and marketing materials.
15. UA Graduate Assistant Position – $18,750
    The University of Arkansas would like to create a two-year graduate assistant position to assist the A&P Commission in handling special events in Fayetteville. “A graduate assistant could help in cultivating and maintaining a volunteer base thru their connection with the University,” the application states. Funds received would be used as salary for the first year.
16. VoiceJam A Capella Festival – $25,000
    The Walton Arts Center plans to host the inaugural event April 8-12, 2015 at several venues across the region including the Walton Arts Center, and public school facilities in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville. The center’s application did not specifically state what funds received would be used for.

Fall 2014 – Returning projects requesting funds

1. Ales & Tails – $19,400
   Former A&P Commission members Brandon Karn and Maudie Schmitt requested another round of funds for advertising costs and promotional materials related to the annual event that benefits the ALS Arkansas Chapter in Northwest Arkansas. The beer and crawfish festival returns for its second year March 23, 2015 at the Fayetteville Town Center. It’s the second request for the group, which was awarded $5,000 in fall 2013 for rental of the Town Center.
2. The Art Experience, Inc. – $19,265
   The Art Experience, Inc. would like another round of funds for next year’s Puppets in the Park event, set for Oct. 17, 2015. The group would also like help with its classes, groups and workshops next year. The group asked for $3,165 for Puppets in the Park, and $15,300 for its overall promotional budget. It’s the fifth request from the group, which has been awarded $6,500 since 2010.
3. Arts Live Theatre – $6,800
   Arts Live Theatre requested another year’s worth of funds for the promotion of its main and second stage productions during the 2014-15 season. It’s the sixth request from the group, which was has been awarded $8,500 since 2010.
4. Blues in the Natural State – $19,200
   The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas plans to continue its 12-year-old event April 2, 10 and 11, 2015 at various venues in Fayetteville. Funds received would be used to help pay for advertising and promotion, space and equipment rentals, design, printing and postage expenses. It’s the third request from the group, which was awarded $10,000 in fall 2013 to expand the event into a three-day event, and $4,000 in fall 2012.
5. Chilirhea – $5,250
   Organizers of the annual Chilirhea chili cook-off requested $5,250 for free rental of the Fayetteville Town Center for the Feb. 28, 2015 event, which aims to donate all proceeds to Alzheimer’s Arkansas and the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s the second request from the group, which was awarded $5,250 in fall 2013.
6. Community Creative Center – $15,000
   Community Creative Center officials are seeking another round of support for their annual marketing initiative, which includes raising awareness of CCC, increasing classes, and attracting artists to its studio spaces. It’s the fifth request from the group, which has been awarded $27,130 since 2011.
7. Fayetteville Roots Festival – $45,000
   Organizers of the annual Fayetteville Roots Festival would like another year’s worth of help promoting the 2015 event, set for Aug 27-30 at various venues around town. It’s the fifth request from the group, which has been awarded $85,000 since 2011.
8. Fayetteville Underground – $40,000
   Fayetteville Art Alliance requested another $40,000 for a third year of funding to support operational expenses at the Fayetteville Underground. It’s the fourth request from the current administration of the organization, which received $55,000 in spring 2012 to move into its new location; $40,000 in fall 2012 for operating expenses; and another $40,000 in fall 2013 for continued operating expenses. Previous organizers received $13,000 from 2010-2011.
9. Hogeye Marathon – $10,000
   Hogeye Marathon officials are back after a few years on their own. Organizers of the race, which begins on the Fayetteville square and finishes in front of the Walton Arts Center, said they need help competing with the Bentonville Half Marathon which is scheduled on the same weekend of March 28-29, 2015. It’s the second request from the group, which was awarded $3,000 in 2010.
10. Iron Pig Festival – $3,500
    All Sports Productions’ first request is for the Iron Pig Festival, set for April 4, 2015 at the Fayetteville Executive Airport. It’s the sixth request for the event, which has been awarded $12,000 since 2010. All Sports Productions requested $5,000 last fall, but commissioners did not award any funds for the event.
11. Joe Martin Stage Race – $10,000
    All Sports Productions’ second request is for the Joe Martin Stage Race, set for April 23-26, 2015 in downtown Fayetteville. It’s the fourth request for the event, which has received $11,200 since 2009.
12. NWA Juggling Festival – $1,725
    NWA Juggling Festival organizers asked for a second round of funds to help support the 21-year-old event, set for April 10-12, 2015 at The Juggling Space, Yvonne Richardson Community Center, and Devil’s Den. Funds received would be used for rental facilities and marketing materials. It’s the second request from the group, which was awarded $3,000 in fall 2013.
13. Ozark Valley Triathlon – $5,500
    All Sports Productions’ third request is for the Ozark Valley Triathlon, set for June 20-21, 2015 at Fayetteville Athletic Club and Lake Wedington. It would be the third award for the event, which received $1,000 in 2009 and $500 in 2010.
14. Renaissance Faire of the Ozarks – $15,000
    Organizers of The Renaissance Faire of the Ozarks would like another round of funds to help promote their event, set for April 18-19, 2015 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Funds will be used to purchase TV ads and billboard placement. It’s the third request from the group, which was awarded $4,000 in fall 2013 and $2,000 in fall 2012.
15. SoNA/Symphony of Northwest Arkansas – $25,000
    Symphony of Northwest Arkansas officials would like another round of funds promoting its annual concert season of classical and pops repertoire. It’s the second request from the group, which was awarded $20,000 in spring 2013.
16. Theatre Squared – $40,000
    TheatreSquared officials requested another year’s worth of promotional funding for continued marketing outside the state. It’s at least the seventh request from the group, which has been awarded $140,000 since 2009.
17. Washington County Fair – $53,910
    The Washington County Fair Association requests money to repaint all the buildings on the Washington County fairgrounds, which are used throughout the year in partnership with events like Bikes, Blues & BBQ and the Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting. It’s at least the fourth request from the group, which was awarded $25,992 to add RV camping amenities in spring 2010; $10,000 to update its shower and restroom facilities in fall 2010; and $10,000 to renovate its Livestock Arena in 2011.
18. Weekend of Champions – $22,572
    Fayetteville High School would like support the 17th Annual Weekend of Champions baseball, soccer and softball event, set for May 23-23 on the University of Arkansas campus. Funds would be used to rent Baum Stadium, Bogle Park and Razorback Soccer Field; to rent hotel rooms; clean up the area after the event; and pay for athletic trainers, security workers, gate workers, score board operators, book keepers and announcers. It’s at least the seventh request from the group, which according to Heifner, has been awarded $46,500 since 2009.