COTTON DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL

 

Starkville Celebrates the
2008 Cotton District Arts Festival

On Saturday, April 19, thousands gathered in record number for a celebration of art and life at the 2008 Cotton District Arts Festival in the Historic Cotton District.

With an astounding attendance of 22,000, this year was a breakthrough for the Arts Festival.

The OCEDA Artisan’s Village increased to nearly 100 art vendors, displaying work from pottery and painting to wood carving and sculptures. The Bully Art Auction successfully sold all 65 bulldogs, raising money for future festivals and SAAC projects. The newly certified Old Cotton Mill 5K Run saw a boost in participation, while the

Pet Parade attracted more four-legged friends than ever before. Both the Juried Art and Student Art Exhibits also experienced increases in work submitted in each competition.

“How wonderful it was to see booth after booth with true art,” said festival-goer, Emily Jones.

The day was also a time for sell-outs. The information tent sold out of festival t-shirts, while participating restaurants in the Taste of Starkville sold virtually everything edible in their booths. Both past and present festival memorabilia proved popular, including t-shirts and postcards. Poster artist, Shannon Rhodes,

autographed over 100 festival posters, only a small portion of all posters sold.

“I've been in Starkville and done the festival now 11 years, and this year was, by far the best one yet. It didn't hurt that we sold a ton of food, too. Thanks, Starkville, for an awesome day!” said Jay Yates, owner of the Veranda, Taste of Starkville participant and Server Race champion.

The support of this year’s festival was not only shown through a remarkable turnout from visitors and participants, but also by the Starkville community with a record number of sponsorships. Major festival sponsors claimed four stages, seven villages, three gates and three events. Major sponsors include Arby’s, Junior Auxiliary, Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Starkville Kiwanis, Magnolia Outpatient Rehab, Starkville Bank Association, MSU Foundation, WMSV, Starkville Rotary Club, Cotton District and TVA. Other sponsors provided awards, prizes, in-kind donations and various services to ensure the day’s success.

Festival volunteers showed their overwhelming support again this year. Returning by the masses, volunteers were eager to give their time and energy to help with the day’s events. “Two thumbs up. I can’t tell you how many great comments I have heard. We definitely put Starkville on the

map,” said Eric Feng, Arby’s franchise owner and Canus Major Village sponsor.

The Starkville Area Arts Council extends deep gratitude and appreciation to everyone involved in making the 2008 Cotton District Arts Festival a success, and truly the best festival yet. Save the date for the 2009 festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 18. May the Festival Be With You!

For more information on the Cotton District Arts Festival or how to join the Starkville Area Arts Council, contact the SAAC office at 662.324.3080 or www.starkvillearts.org.



A Message from our President

“The 2008 Cotton Districts Arts Festival made me proud to be a resident of Starkville.  The festival drew record crowds. It was extremely enjoyable to walk the crowd and see smiling faces, smell the wonderful aroma of the vendors, listen and enjoy the variety of musical entertainment, enjoy a diversity of cultures, and view and purchase quality artwork.  A successful event such as the CDAF takes a huge collaboration of the community.  I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your commitment to the arts through the annual Cotton District Arts Festival.  We hope to see you in April 2009!”
      - Barb Adkins, SAAC President

Congratulations to this year’s Festival Winners

The OCEDA Artisan’s Village:
Best in Show- Main Street Art, Award of Excellence- Gentle Awakenings by Keith Burns Wood Turning, Honorable Mention- photographer Jeremy Murdock, Honorable Mention- painter Mandy Buchanan.

Juried Art Exhibit:
1st place: Michael Maxwell, 2ndplace: Joe McGown, 3rd place: Robert Long

Honorable Mentions:
Jerry Mc Lennon, Frank McGuigan, David Lawrence. Merit Awards: Stan O'Dell, Michelle Neuman, Jacques Murphree, Shoshana Brackett, Nel Slaughter, Mary Jane Everett, Dott Bailey, Becky Ray, Dylan Karges, Jonathan Feng, Jerry McLennon.

Student Art Exhibit:
4th and 5th grade winners- 1st place: Joy Linyue Fan, 2nd place: Marshall Adair, 3rd place: Catherine Buffington

Honorable Mentions:
Victoria Sellars, Anna Hoyt, Colby Rivers, Tequan Goliday, Pooja Shaunak.

6th grade winners- 1st place: Brandie Brooks, 2nd place: Carolina Lugo, 3rd place: Zeb Rice

Honorable Mentions:
Dasha Bonderenko, Alex Ross, Chon'tel Walker, Adina Harri, Savannah Young, Kristina Berch, Jasmine Mangual, Chetia Harris, Samantha Shurden, LaDorrious Pittman.

Placemakers Exhibit:
Victoria Wolfe, Tripp Parker, Webb White, Rob Toombs, Tim Cooke, Lindsay Atkins.

The Rotary Club Chaucer Village Poetry Slam:
18 years old and under- 1st place: Dasha Bondarenko, 2nd place: Ali Naqui, 3rd place: Katya Gilbo.

19 years old and over- 1st place: Leslie Adams, 2nd place: Rob Harland, 3rd place: Sarah Naqui.

The Magnolia Outpatient Rehab
Phidippede’s Village 5K Run:
Male Overall Winner, Todd Hagadone, with a time of 16 minutes 16 seconds.
Female Overall Winner, Meggan Franks, with a time of 19 minutes 4 seconds.

Taste of Starkville:
Harvey’s, the Veranda, Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, BIN 612, Rock Bottom, Barnhills, Trace Grill, Bops, Sno Biz, Chill Factor Creations.

Server Race:
the Veranda, with a time of 2 minutes 20 seconds.
Sweet Tea Challenge:
Rock Bottom, Ross Williams, Shaherazad’s.

AREA EVENTS