Whiman with The Review Banner for our Britt Sponsor Night!
Following an event-filled summer, Fall offers a chance to catch our breath and slow down a bit – but just a little! Summer 2011 kicked-off with Britt Festivals’ opening day “Taste of Summer” street celebration and closed with an outstanding Oktoberfest at the Bigham Knoll campus. Between events, Britt packed the hill with the best season in years as Friday evening Art Amble renewed the public’s interest in supporting our local artists.
“Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts” was also well-attended along with the Saturday Farmers Market and Art Show, several gallery exhibits, winemaker dinners, garden & home tours and various lectures and fundraisers. Likewise, the newly relocated World of Wine festival drew seven hundred wine enthusiasts from all over the western United States, securing Jacksonville’s place on the regional wine events map. And, a new monthly event launched in May by the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery, “History Saturday,” attracted enthusiastic crowds, providing a much-needed and sought-after living history forum.
The success of these events underscores the changing nature of Jacksonville, offering more proof that our town is becoming a destination for food, art, wine, music and history enthusiasts. In the coming years, embracing and supporting cultural events will be even more important to the long term success of Jacksonville – my view is that a healthy arts community is reflective of a healthy business climate and vice-versa. Combine the two and the result is a better quality of life!
This month, more fun-filled events await, highlighted by Meet the Pioneers on October 14 & 15 – get your tickets early as these shows always sell-out!
Heading into Fall, I hope to see you out and about in our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!