Promoting Their Mission/Enriching the Festival

MUMfest provides an opportunity for nonprofit organizations, in and out of the area, to participate as a vendor and promote their mission, further cultural, educational, religious, professional or public service objectives, generate funds, recruit members and volunteers and have fun in the process. Its success and popularity has led to more and more nonprofits participation, which enriches the festival.

A cross-section of those participating include: Salvation Army, Staff House Maternity Home, Woodmen of the World, National Active Retired Federal Employees, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Carolina Donor Services, Interfaith Refugee Ministry, Craven Department of Social Services, New Bern Rotary Club, Onslow Vietnam Memorial Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA), Morehead City Noon Rotary Club, New Bern Outdoor Adventure Club, Pals for Paws, Two Rivers Health Care Center, VFW 2514, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Craven County Democratic Party, New Bern Lady Bruins Lacrosse, Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association, Angels for Animals, Craven County Republican Party, CarolinaEast Health System, Craven Community College, Mount Olive College, New Bern Lion's Club and numerous area churches.

It is a great way to meet the good folks who are manning their organization’s booths, become familiar with their goals and objectives and gain an understanding of how various nonprofits contribute and enhance the quality of life for area citizens. 

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST Brochure...catching the excitment

Nancy Hawley, who handled the PR and Marketing for Tryon Palace, agreed to handle our publicity and marketing when she retired. She is currently writing copy for the mumfest brochure.

Twenty thousand copies of this colorful advance promotional piece are distributed throughout the state to welcome centers, hotels, restaurants and area businesses in mid-summer. In addition to the website, press releases, articles, ads, interviews, TV and radio commercials and the festival tab, the brochure is an important promotional piece in our PR/Marketing Plan.

Funding for the brochure was originally made possible by Sprint’s sponsorship. With the transition to CenturyLink, they continue to be our Brochure Sponsor. They, like our many other sponsors, made it possible to grow the festival, now a major signature award-winning event that offers something for everyone.

The pictures posted with this blog are being considered for inclusion in the brochure. We take hundreds of pictures during festival week-end to use the following year, however, of the hundreds only a small number actually capture the excitement and energy needed for promotional use. Festival-goers who took pictures they feel would be suitable…and are willing to share…please email them to swissbear@swissbear.org. We would be most appreciative.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Alex Clark - Street Performer at Mumfest

BMX Bike Stunt Show

Having fun on amusement rides

Chaz the Magician performing at Mumfest

MUMFEST = Community Development



East Front Street - Mumfest 2011

 




"Flash Mob" spontaneous dance - Mumfest 2011

 


Mumfest on Broad Street





In October 2002, to obtain data on what Mumfest's actual economic impact was on the local economy,  Swiss Bear hired a consultant with the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) to conduct an economic impact study (EIS) for Mumfest. IFEA is an association of worldwide festival and event professionals dedicated to the promotion and strengthening of the festival and events industry. The purpose of the EIS was to acquire information we could use to create more informed marketing on-going development of the festival.

Two of the goals of the study was top obtain a demographic profile of the festival-goer and the overall economic impact from all festival goers, vendors, and organizational spending to the festival.

Four hundred survey forms (based on the estimated number of visitors) were filled out by festival-goers via random selection by trained volunteers. A survey manager oversaw the project to ensure the process of completing surveys was done properly.

Based on the results of the survey, using the New Money Model, Visitors contributed $2,698,820, Vendor spending was $52,511, Local taxes $68,783. Vendor leak $237,651…total after leak $2,582,463. Using the 1.5 multiplier, the total economic impact of MUMFEST was $3,873,695.

Using the 1.5 multiplier the calculated direct overall economic impact was $3,873,695.                                    

Demographics:

·         The percentage of individuals who attended the festival in

            a group was 96%.

·          For those who came in a group, 31% indicated that they

            brought their children, 38% came with friends or relatives

            over 18, 13% came with children of friends, and 67% came

            with a spouse.

·          Among adults, largest age group attending the event was

            36-50.

·          60% of attendees were female, 40% were male.

·          The most common marital status among festival-goers was

            married.

·          The most common level of education among festival-goers

            was college grad. 

·          The most common level of household income among

            festival-goers was $50,001-$75,000.

·          The most common occupational category among festival- 

            goers was professional/tech.

·          60% of attendees were female, 40% were male.

·          In order, the 7 most common zip codes from highest to

            lowest were:  28562, 28560, 28532, 28570, 27858, 28504,

            and 28519.

·          The overall estimated attendance of the festival including

            repeat visits was 82,000.  The total estimated number of
       individual attendees to the festival, including those who
       visited multiple times, was 57,335.
          

Certainly, the number of attendees has grown and the demographics may have changed due to marketing to a much broader area since the survey/study was completed 10 years ago and the festival has expanded to take in a much larger area with many more venues. Even though outdated, the numbers do show promoting and hosting festivals and special events are major contributors to the City and County’s economic and community development. Built on our public private partnership with the City, mumfest has gained recognition for its ability to highlight our community assets and local culture. This benefits the local economy with the infusion of expenditures over the festival weekend as well enhancing downtown’s revitalization effort.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Lest We Forget...Memorial Day, A Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Although everyone is looking forward to a fun filled holiday week-end we frequently forget its real meaning. Memorial Day, an official holiday originally called Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate graves in Arlington National Cemetery.  By 1890, the holiday was recognized in all of the northern states. The South chose to honor the fallen on separate days until post WWII. At that time, the holiday honored Americans who died fighting in the many American war’s beginning with the American Revolution.

The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation was inspired by the poem written in 1915 by Canadian doctor, Lt. Col. John McCrae while serving in France during WWI.

    In Flanders Fields

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

      That mark our place; and in the sky

     The larks, still bravely singing, fly

        Scarce heard among the guns below.

Moina Michael  followed up with her own poem

       We cherish too, the Poppy red,

          That grows on fields where valor led,

     It seems to signal to the skies,

     That blood of heroes never dies.

She is also responsible for the custom of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving our nation during a war. She donated the money she made selling poppies to friends and family to benefit needy servicemen. The tradition spread to other countries. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922, the VFW became the first veteran’s organization to sell poppies nationally.

To remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day,  the flag is flown at half-staff until noon. In 2000, the government passed the National Moment of Remembrance resolution on December 2000 which asks Americans to pause for a moment of observance at 3 p.m. to reflect and honor those who have given their lives for our country.

A small price to pay to honor the memory of the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

A MUMFEST Poem...in tribute to its author

In a Mumfest meeting recently with Nancy Hawley who handles our PR work, Danielle and myself, we discussed the Marketing/PR plan for the festival. As we brainstormed new ways to promote the festival among the local residents, the idea of encouraging  someone to write a mumfest song or poem was mentioned. It brought back memories that I related regarding Earl Mills. He  called me in the summer of 2010 asking if I would like him to write a poem about mumfest since it was our 30^th year and we were a 300^th sanctioned event. I didn’t know Earl at the time, but thought it would be a nice thing to do and asked him to stop by the office so I could meet him.  I was delighted to meet Earl and learned he was writing his first book of poetry with hopes of having it published and he wanted to include a poem on mumfest. We, of course, thought it was a great idea.

Earl was raised in Craven County and lived and worked in New Bern all his life. He graduated from high school with a 2^nd grade reading level. He worked for Hatteras for many years as a mechanic, married and raised and educated his family, dreading the day fellow workers and/or his family would find out he was illiterate. When it did become apparent, he was in his 40’s, and his family encouraged him to learn to read through the good work of the Craven Literacy Program. He read his first book at 48 years old and has been reading and writing ever since.  In fact, he is now an accomplished poet, has published a number of books, is an adult literacy ambassador and has received numerous awards and honors. His most recent accomplishment is getting an A in his first college course.



Edward Earl Mills

His poem, published every year in the official Mumfest Program (published by the Sun Journal) is a delight and captures the essence of mumfest.

Join Us At MUMFEST

Downtown New Bern is the place to be,

Join us at mumfest and you will see.

No matter how young, and you’re never too old,

So come on down and take a stroll.

Don’t be in a hurry for there’s a lot to see,

As the downtown mumfest, is the place to be.

If you’re hungry for food, you will find,

Either a vendor or a fine restaurant to dine.

Now put all those lame excuses aside,

And bring the family so you can eat, drink and ride.

Drive across our new bridge this year,

And see the crowds and make a cheer.

There is something there just for you,

No matter what you like to do.

Oh’ by the way, mum is not the word,

So tell a friend if they haven’t already heard.

Edward Earl Mills

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

How Soon We Forget

In a recent email, Mike Linden, AlphaGraphics of New Bern, inquired if we had any old photos of the Dunn Building. I met Mike at the recent AlphaGraphics ribbon cutting in the their new building on Trent Road. He was curious to know if we had any old photos of the Owen G. Dunn Building located at the corner of Craven and Pollock. Owen G. Dunn is their parent company and he is interested in hanging photographs of the old office building in their new conference room. Since we have numerous albums with slides and photos taken in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, I was able to find four old photos of the building and forward them to him.

According to Peter Sandbeck, author of The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, the printing firm founded by Owen G. Dunn in 1902 became the largest of its type in Eastern North Carolina by the time of Dunn’s death in 1940. Dunn was also the editor of the New Bern Sun, one of the city’s two daily newspapers of the period, which later merged with the New Bern Journal to become the City’s present newspaper, the Sun Journal.



Dunn Office Supplies - 1984


 This  significant four story building was built in 1924 adjacent to Owen G. Dunn’s printing plant. In the late 1980’s, the Dunn family sold the building to a local partnership of five developers who rehabbed the building using a portion of the $2million low interest loan pool created in the early 1980’s by Swiss Bear, local banks and City to spur rehabilitation projects in the downtown. The rehabilitated building was leased to the City for use as office space which they later purchased.  When the building sold, the Corner Grill, a popular restaurant and hangout owned by Ruby and Jack Russell, relocated to corner of Middle and Broad…today known as the Chelsea.

The Corner Grill - Now the Chelsea

What stood out most of all when I looked at the old pictures, is the aerial clutter of the utility lines at that intersection before they were placed underground in the late 1990’s.   

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Dunn Bldg - 1990



Dunn Bldg Today
 Corner of Craven & Pollock Streets.

How soon we forget.

NC Songwriters Co-op - MUMFEST

On May 1, Danielle and I met with Penne Sandbeck to discuss having the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op (NCSC) participate in Mumfest. Penne, like her husband Peter Sandbeck, is a writer and researcher currently working at Tryon Palace. Penne is on the NCSC Board which is based in Carrboro. Most of their events and activities take place in the Triangle area, however board members are interested in expanding their outreach to be a resource for singer-songwriters throughout the state. At their last meeting, the board members asked Penne to contact Swiss Bear and explore the possibility of NCSC having a small stage at mumfest to recruit and showcase local singer-songwriters in on-going 15 – 20 minute sets.

At the end of the meeting, we all agreed it would be a great new venue for mumfest. I asked Penne to take our interest and enthusiasm back to her board for approval. At this point, if the NCSC board agrees to move forward with this, it would be held on Sunday in the area where the dance schools perform on Saturday.

The exciting part is it can offer singer/song writers (amateur and professional) in Eastern NC the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience, meet other songwriters and get feed-back on their songs, arrangements and performances from other song writers. It will also add to the wide range of entertainment that is featured at the festival.

For the singer/song writers out there that would like more information on the NCSC, go to ncsongwriters.org.

Would you like to see this venue at mumfest?

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Union Station - Perseverance Pays Off

Union Station celebrates 100 years

Union Station at Queen & Hancock Street

The badly deteriorated Union Station, a major landmark at Queen and Hancock Street will finally have a new lease on  life thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Governor Perdue, the City, New Bern Preservation Foundation (NBPF), NC Railroad and Norfolk and Southern Railroad. After more than 20 years, a license and lease agreement has been worked out so the NBPF can raise funds and oversee the restoration of Union Station. Reaching this point has taken a great deal of patience, dedication and determination by many, many  people. Beginning in the mid-1980’s, a number of  committees organized by the NBPF for this purpose, were always stymied with the inability to acquire a long term lease (25 to 30 years) that would allow the NBPF and City time to raise the funds needed to restore the building and put it to use.

In the mid to late 1800’s, the expansion of railroads across the country was a catalyst for the growth of many cities. In New Bern, with three railroads serving the New Bern, the City developed as a regional rail center for passenger and freight service. Union Station, an impressive two story brick building was built in 1910.

Although passenger service was eliminated in the late 1980’s, this neglected, deteriorating building has remained a major landmark and is seen as a catalyst , once it is restored, to spur growth and development along that corridor.

The NBPF is providing the initial financial support and will oversee the private arm of this public/private partnership and be responsible for raising the private funds required that exceed the $500,000 which is being contributed by the NC Department of Transportation.  The first^t phase calls for stabilizing the building to include replacement of the damaged roof and exterior walls. Although no City funds will be used for the depot’s restoration, the City’s endorsement via resolution of the restoration project and willingness to sign the lease was key to securing the agreement/partnership with the North Carolina Railroad.

Future plans call for the restoration of the ticket window, waiting room, freight room and restoration of second floor offices. Although a feasibility study has never been completed, the 7,000 square foot interior space could be used as a small railroad museum, meeting space or possibly a restaurant/café.

For more information or to contribute to this project, call 633-6448

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

New Bern (Noon) Rotary - MUMFEST Banner Sponsorship Project Underway

The Noon Rotary Club in partnership with Swiss Bear has kicked off their annual Mumfest Banner Sponsorship Project to raise funds to support their community service projects. For the past five or six years, the Rotary Club of New Bern contacts area businesses, individuals and organizations to sponsor a Mumfest banner that displays the company’s name on both sides of the banner for only $160. The 22” x 27” vinyl banners hang from the banner arms of the downtown streetlights for approximately six weeks beginning in mid-September and are then given to the sponsor’s which can be displayed in their respective businesses.

The sale of the banner ends July 30, 2012. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring a banner can contact Tammy Sherron (252.633.8880), call Swiss Bear (252.638.5781) or download an application from www.mumfest.com by clicking on the banner-merchandising button near the top of the homepage.

Rotary Club members use the funds raised for community service projects such as a four year college scholarship, Craven Community College scholarship, Salvation Army, Religious Community Services (RCS), Merci Clinic, YMCA, Creekside Park, Habitat for Humanity and other worthy community needs.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Mary's Vision...Now a Tradition

A recent letter from the President of the Board of Trustees of the Carolinian Shakespeare Theatre inviting me to attend Much Ado About Nothing which runs August 2nd through the 19^th and consider a financial gift in support of their efforts, brought back nice memories of meeting Mary McGinley. Mary, founder of New Bern’s Shakespeare Festival, is a very dedicated theatre artist who has worked for many years to enrich the lives of people in New Bern and Eastern North Carolina by providing an understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare and classic literature.

In the late 1990’s, Mary a resident of New York City, came to my office asking for input on her interest in establishing a Shakespearean Festival that would be held every summer in New Bern. I along with many others were asked if we thought Eastern North Carolina had reached a point in time that the community would support and embrace classic, quality Shakespearean theatre/entertainment. The consensus on our part was, yes. We believed New Bernians would support it. We were developing as a cultural center and this would enrich the mix of art and theatre in our city and be a draw for tourists.

With the promise of community support, in 1998 she established the New Millennium Theatre Works, Inc., a nonprofit organization. It’s major project is production of the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival, an educational, summer theatre program held every summer in New Bern.  Before the NC History Center opened in 2010, performances were held in various venues throughout the City. Last year, they collaborated with Tryon Palace and performances were held in the Cullman Performance Center and will be held there again this year.

Mary McGinley’s dedication as a director, acting coach, audition coach and teacher in a career spanning more than three decades is cause for applause. As a theatre artist, her primary mission has been helping others and thanks to her on-going commitment, dedication and determination, the Shakespeare Festival is a New Bern tradition.

In addition to Mary’s leadership and the support of a local Board of Trustees, the Carolina Shakespeare Festival productions are made possible with philanthropic grants and individual donations. For more information go to http://www.csfest.net/.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST = Business/Organization Opportunities

Wells Fargo - Mumfest Sponsor 2011



Joe Alcoke - Mumfest Title Sponsor
Joe Alcoke Auto & Truck Center, New Bern



Beads-N'-Bowls - Mumfest Sponsor 2011
Business on Craven St.

Vendors on Middle St. 



Kona Ice - Food vendor at Mumfest 2011




Wood Wizzard demonstrating
chainsaw wood carving



Local  Honey - Mumfest 2011

Jewelry vendor - Mumfest 2011

The Courtsey Press printing Mumfest souvenir
Business located in Vanceboro

As a business owner, arts and crafter, nonprofit or entrepreneur, have you ever considered the benefits of being a vendor at  mumfest? If not, perhaps it’s time to give it some serious thought!

WHY?

Mumfest is a signature award winning family event that attracts over 80,000 area residents and visitors to New Bern’s downtown streets and waterfront on the second full week of October. More than 300+ vendors participate in mumfest annually. 75% return year after year.

Vendor spaces are very affordable and provides the opportunity to:

·         Sell your product through direct sales.

·         Build name recognition for your company/organization.

·         Extend your marketing reach.

·         Showcase your service/mission/product to the general

          public.

·         Display your products in a highly trafficked midway area.

A sampling of the goods and services sold at the festival include, banking, home improvements, gourmet mixes and sauces, women and men’s clothing, hair, skin care and cosmetics, pet treats, sports memorabilia, hand crafted furniture, jewelry, outdoor furniture, pottery, plants, garden art, medical equipment, appliances, magazines and newspaper subscriptions, recreational  and sports equipment, kitchen gadgets, automobiles, fishing gear, power tools…the list goes on and on.

To explore this business opportunity, go to www.mumfest.com, click on the vendor application button in the upper right hand corner  and download an application from the category that applies to your business. All the information regarding fee, space sizes, set-up times, etc. is listed. If you have questions, call our office 252-638-5781. We are happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to seeing you at  mumfest.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Main Street Organizations/Public Funds

I thought readers would find the following information interesting in regard to what other NC Main Street programs receive in appropriations from local government.

Of the 55 Main Street cities recently surveyed by the NC Main Street Center, 49 receive city funds. Twenty of the cities have a population of 10,000 and under. The population of the cities range from 2,000 to 59,200, with an average budget of $166,021 ranging from $13,000 - $686,790.

Fifty percent of the cities are within the City structure as a department. City staff with full city benefits operate the quasi-public/private partnerships 501c3.

Others are 501c3 nonprofits like Swiss Bear, who work in partnership with the city but are separate entities and are responsible for all operating costs and projects. They receive appropriations from the City and in many cases, from the County.

The nonprofits in cities of comparable size to New Bern that receive funding from the city’s general fund or municipal district tax fund (or both) in addition to other sources are: 

   Garner (25,745 population)        

            $75,000 General Fund (GF)

   Kinston (22,360 pop.)                  
            $105,800  GF  -   $55,000  MSD --  Total budget $394,485

   Salisbury (32,000 pop.)            
            $98,000 GF -  $133,000 MSD -- Total budget $291,700

   Shelby (21,366 pop. )             
            $33,500 GF - $120,000 MSD -- Total Budget $211,800

   Goldsboro (40,000 pop.), a Main Street city since 1984 is a quasi
   public/private partnership. City staff operates the nonprofit
   Wayne   County Downtown Development Corp. Their annual
   budget is $686,790.

   Sanford (28,094 pop.) has the same arrangement as Goldsboro, a
   quasi public/private partnership operated by City staff with a 
   budget of $458,768. 

The revitalization and on-going development of a city’s downtown creates jobs, attracts new businesses, increases the tax base, expands and creates numerous events and festivals and up-grades public infrastructure benefiting all of the residents in the City and County.

Cities fund their Main Street Programs because it is a sound investment.

Your comments are welcomed.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Cheers!

 Chelsea - Middle St.



 Chelsea - Broad St. Side



MJ's Raw Bar & Grille - Middle St.



It’s great to see several restaurants taking advantage of the recent change in the ordinance allowing alcoholic beverages to be served in a defined area on the public sidewalk in front of dining establishments.

MJ’s Raw Bar And Grille offers this amenity and the Chelsea is gearing up for it. Their outdoor furniture is stacked next to the Broad Street side of their building ready to be set out once the new color scheme is finished…a change from teal blue trim and panels to a creamy beige and deep charcoal …looks very chic.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director