Southland Jubilee Festival Honored at Industry Event

2014 Kaleidoscope Award Winners Recognized

What happens when you combine cardboard, fried foods, country music and a month-long event celebrating history?  You have four of the best festivals in the Southeast. They, along with fifteen other events, were spotlighted at the Southeast Festivals and Events Kaleidoscope Awards, sponsored by RCS Productions, at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto in Savannah, Georgia on February 18. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 11th Annual Southeast Festivals and Events (SFEA) Conference, presented by East Coast Pyrotechnics. 

The name “kaleidoscope” was selected due to the colors in the image that represent the many different elements and facets within festivals and events. The kaleidoscope awards showcase the best of the best. Categories include best sponsor, best T-shirts, best digital media, best poster, best event within an event and many others. Out of the many categories, Southland Jubilee applied for four different categories and was awarded two. The Southland Jubilee won bronze for Best Festival with a budget under $75,000 and Mary Helen Higdon Brewer was awarded silver for Best Volunteer for the festival.

“This was the year of recognizing a community effort,” noted Wendy Thomas, executive director for SFEA. “The award for ‘Best Festival’ is given to two organizations, based on budget criteria, and both of the festivals recognized this year are planned by folks within their own community, versus an out-of-state show promoter. The Southeast takes great pride in its events as well as its traditions.”

Applying for Best Festival is no easy task. The best festival category showcases the overall aspect of the event. The judges looked at sponsors, budget, posters, merchandise, volunteers and the overall layout of the event.

“I am excited that we can showcase the Southland Jubilee to peers all over the Southeast,” stated Kendrick Harris, Southland Jubilee Chair. “It is a great honor for our festival to be awarded on the first time applying.”

The categories in which one can win recognition are also diverse, ranging from Best Social Media Campaign to Best Creative Idea to Best Volunteer. The Best Volunteer category showcases the best volunteer from your community for your event. Out of the many volunteers, Mary Helen Brewer placed silver. Over the past 10 years, Brewer has served as a dedicated volunteer for Southland Jubilee. She is always there the night before to help set up and then is back on South Main Street at 6 a.m. to help check in vendors.

“I am happy that we can reward our volunteers for the hard work and dedication they put into the festival,” noted Harris. “Without the countless volunteers, we would not be able to create such a wonderful community event.”

The 16th Annual Southland Jubilee is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Save the date because you will not want to miss this award winning festival.

“I love that we can brag that Southland Jubilee is an award winning festival,” stated Harris. “We would not be able to brag without the support from the community, sponsors and volunteers. Our festival is for the community and would not be the best without you.

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