Something Old – Something New
Hello Montgomery,
We write you because we love you and want only the best for you, our favorite city. You’ve been sleeping for quite some time now, and while we’re happy for your rest, we all know it’s time to wake up. We believe you feel the same way and we see it more and more every day in the changes you are making and the people that support you. Like any good friend, we’ve tried to learn more about you and where you came from so that we may better understand you. We want to be there for you when you need us. You’ve had some ups and downs, but that’s part of growing up. We truly believe that you will blossom into a beautiful city that will shine its light as a beacon for our state, the South, and when you’re ready, our great nation. Montgomery, you are the capital of dreams, but you’ve been dreaming long enough. Let’s wake up together to make those dreams of yours a reality for everyone!
In seven years you will be the big 2-0-0, and we’d like to give you a present. The thing is, we are so excited and we want to give you this so badly, we cant wait that long. We’ve heard about the party you threw for your 80th birthday and we love it. So let’s make a deal. We will throw a party in celebration of you and all the amazing people that call you home starting this year, but you have to promise us that when your 200th rolls around, you’ll be a greater city than you ever have been. Let’s take all the incredible assets you hold in your people and raise their efforts further. Let’s find and create new beautiful things. Let’s show the world how great we can be, and most importantly let’s come together and believe in ourselves so that we can.
It’s time to make a new history for you Montgomery. We are on the verge of a cultural renaissance that can only happen if we all put aside our differences and work together to build a HOME that we can all be proud of. Montgomery, it’s your time to shine!
Sincerely,
Helicity
p.s. We are powered by your ideas.
Helicity Montgomery is excited to announce the first annual Montgomery Street Fair: Revival on Saturday, April 21, 2012, on Dexter Avenue! For the next seven years, we will rebuild this great celebration of Lady Montgomery, our wonderful city. Then, together, we can take her further than we’ve ever imagined.
The original Montgomery Street Fair took place in 1899. It was the first free street fair in the South and, lasting a week long, is estimated to have seen anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 in attendance. (For a slide show of the first street fair check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEENiiyql5Q)
Helicity Montgomery will reawaken Dexter Avenue with this celebratory occasion, of course, adding its own twist to the event. In its revival, the street fair will once again bring the greater community together and become the avenue through which Montgomery can enjoy the many creative talents of our local artisans, vendors, performers, and culinary artists extraordinaire – all of the things that make our Capital of Dreams truly unique.
The day will be filled with plenty to see and do for everyone! Face painting, craft-making, storytellers, play areas, and much more will be available for children’s entertainment. Participants can look forward to tasting some of our local fare including Chris’ Hot Dogs, Cool Beans, Country’s Barbecue, Capital City Oyster Bar and Grill, and Montgomery Super Suppers and more. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival will host a City of Montgomery scavenger hunt that will highlight some of our downtown’s hidden gems. There will also be a Chris’ Hot dog eating competition for those who are up for the challenge. All of this will be taking place while aerialists, jugglers, dancers, and musicians are dispersed among the crowds. Night activities will focus on live musical performances TBA as we get closer to the event. This will be a day to remember on historic Dexter Avenue. And, attendees will be the first to hear a very, very special announcement regarding next year’s street fair!
Free parking is available in the city parking decks located on Washington Avenue, Monroe Street, and at 1 Dexter Plaza. Entrances to the festival can be found at both sides of 1 Court Square as well as the Dexter alley to the Washington Parking Deck.
The Montgomery Street Fair: Revival was born from the community’s desire for an arts festival and a Helicity intern’s vision of throwing a block party in downtown Montgomery. It is a student-led effort put on by Helicity Montgomery’s collegiate internship program, which offers students from local universities the unique opportunity of putting on arts-focused community events that aim to make a brighter, more vibrant Montgomery. Through organizing the street fair, our interns have worked hard to create an event that will celebrate our local talent and help make Montgomery a destination city. They have learned about the nuts and bolts of putting on a community event of such a large scale. From reaching out to artists and vendors to coordinating with their universities and planning schedules, our interns have proceeded diligently in realizing this fantastic event.
Helicity Montgomery’s Collegiate Internship Program presents this community event. It is supported by the City of Montgomery, Auburn University Montgomery, Max Federal Credit Union, Cumulus Broadcasting, Ralph Scott Motors, Jack Ingram Motors, Prime Montgomery, Boom, Chris’ Hot Dogs, Troy Montgomery, Foshee Management, RSVP Magazine, In Montgomery, and more! Most importantly, it is supported by you – The beautiful people of Montgomery!
The Montgomery Street Fair: Revival is PAY WHAT IT IS WORTH starting at $1 per person. Every dollar you give helps us put on more events and programs to enrich Montgomery. If you are tight on cash, we understand that you may not be able to afford much, but if you like what you see and want to see more donate what you can! The Montgomery Street Fair: Revival will be open to the public, and will take place rain or shine. This will also be your first opportunity to join Helicity as we unveil our general membership to show your support for making Montgomery a more beautiful and vibrant city.
For more information, visit montgomerystreetfair.com. You can also find more information by e-mailing montgomerystreetfair@gmail.com, ‘liking’ Montgomery Street Fair on Facebook (the best way to stay current on all the updates), friending Helicity Montgomery on Facebook, and following Helicity Montgomery on Twitter.
Helicity hopes that you will support your Montgomery in all of its creative forms and efforts. Our city is what we make it, and there is a wealth of talent to be shared and cherished here. As we look forward to a brighter future, we hope you will come out, enjoy, and partake in all that our community has to offer and be proud of.
Johnny Veres is the founder and current Executive Director of Helicity Montgomery, and works at 2WR as an intern architect and project manager.
Recent Comments