Arts Festival wraps up with attendance up, financial goals met

The air was filled with the sweet smell of barbecue as Austin “Walkin’ Cane” sang the blues at the final evening of the 2010 Summer Arts Festival.

The Cleveland-based blues guitarist provided the entertainment at Rhythm ‘n’ Ribs Fest, Saturday, July 17, at Veterans Park, which drew an early crowd that festival organizers anticipated to be around 2,000 by the time the Spyro Gyra concert — which started at 8 p.m. — was underway.

“We’re about 14,000 people ahead of last year,” said Bill Schwartz, director of development for the Springfield Arts Council. Saturday’s performance was expected to take the season’s total attendance to 52,600.

Last year’s attendance topped out at 35,300, Schwartz said.

Fundraising was also successful, he added, sure that after Saturday’s performance the festival’s $36,000 goal would be met.

Concessions, pit/loft seat sales and raffle tickets sales also all met or exceeded goals.

“We’ve had good crowds and the performances have been strong and well-received. It’s been a nice surprise that attendance has been up so much over last summer,” said J. Chris Moore, SAC’s executive director.

The first two performances of Annie, the Dark Star Orchestra and The Golden Dragon Acrobats all drew crowds of about 5,000.

Friends Roger and Sue Ann Dill and Bob and Judy Livingston, on hand for the last show of the season, were at many of this year’s performances.

“Springfield is so blessed to have such a fantastic festival at such a wonderful facility. There is so much quality entertainment,” Roger Dill said. He and his wife especially enjoyed The United States Air Force Band of Flight’s New Harmony and The Gem City Chorus’ Sweet Adelines.

The couples have also worked as volunteers on shows. This year, the Dills moved scenery for Annie and the Livingstons helped with parking and performed other volunteer duties.

“This is a great opportunity to come enjoy our hometown,” Judy Livingston said, “and I’ll see people here I won’t see until next year. We’ve been going to these events for so many years and they always pull us back together with special people every time.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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