14 JULY ‘10
Charities, Businesses Invited to Take Part in Funfest Street Fair Funfest is looking for charities, clubs, churches and other nonprofit organizations. The organizers of the Hazleton Area’s largest festival are now accepting applications for the annual Funfest Street Fair, to be held Sunday, September 12 in Downtown Hazleton. And according to Funfest officials, this is one of the best opportunities for these groups to raise funds and gain exposure. This year, Funfest will also allow a limited number of commercial booths, giving local businesses the opportunity to exhibit their product or service. Booth applications can be obtained at Funfest Headquarters. Previous street fair participants were mailed applications recently. “The priority of the Funfest Street Fair has always been to give local charities the opportunity to raise funds for their causes,” said Funfest Booth Committee Chairman Andy Piskel. “The partnership between Funfest and the nonprofit community has helped these organizations to raise tens of thousands of dollars over the years. But in recent years, the Committee has found that we have some space to spare, and we are therefore opening up a bit of that space for local businesses looking to take advantage of the large Funfest crowds to promote themselves.” Groups such as churches, fire companies, service organizations, and schools are charged a nominal fee to set up a booth and sell. Piskel says it not only gives the groups a fundraising opportunity, but helps them to increase public awareness. “With the largest public gathering of the year, Funfest is the perfect place for these groups to get the word out about their causes,” Piskel said. Funfest Weekend will be held September 11 and 12 along Broad Street in Downtown Hazleton, and the Street Fair, to be held on the 12th, will feature as many as one hundred booths lining the sidewalks from Vine to Pine Streets. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and entries received earlier will have a better pick of location. Piskel added that in some cases, electricity may be available to organizations needing it for cooking appliances, lighting, or other needs. “Through the cooperative effort of our Logistics Committee and Bob Judd of ARC Electric, we can arrange for an electricity hookup in some areas of the street fair.” Judd has volunteered his services to Funfest for many years, providing logistical help with electrical hookups. Piskel noted that booths using Funfest electricity will need to be located within designated areas, and will be subject to a small electricity fee. While the Committee is encouraging organizations to operate their own booths, it will also accept booths operated by commercial vendors on behalf of a nonprofit. Funfest’s corporate sponsors are also welcome to operate a booth at Funfest. The new Street Fair Sponsorship gives businesses the chance to promote themselves to the Funfest crowds. “The Funfest tradition has been to reserve most of our street fair space to benefit local nonprofits, but this year we have decided to sell a few spaces to local businesses so that they can display or exhibit themselves,” Piskel said. “Businesses who register under the category will be considered one of Funfest’s Corporate sponsors, and in addition to their booth space, they will be given signage and other exposure opportunities.” More information on the Street Fair Sponsorship can be obtained by contacting the Funfest office. The Street Fair is a major part of Funfest Weekend, and will
PANORAMA MAGAZINE be highlighted by the Funfest Parade, which runs through the fair late Sunday afternoon. “Tens of thousands of Hazleton residents and visitors alike have made it a tradition to come to Downtown Hazleton to watch the parade, and to enjoy the food and novelties at the various booths of the street fair,” Piskel said. “And many come not only to enjoy the event, but to support their favorite charities, often seeking them out so that they may patronize their booths.” Funfest Weekend features a full schedule of events, activities, and attractions. Free entertainment is provided at four performance venues throughout the Weekend. Other Funfest Sunday activities include the Craft Show and Kids Activities. Funfest Saturday events include the annual Car Show, Craft Show, Teen Activities, Senior Activities, and Hot Wings and Chili Cookoffs. Saturday activities will climax with a fireworks display that evening. Food vendors for Saturday’s event are contracted by and benefit Funfest. In addition, Funfest is working with the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Downtown Committee to promote a Funfest Weekend Sidewalk Sale. Downtown businesses will be encouraged to set up outside their establishments to benefit from the large crowds in center city on Funfest Saturday. Businesses wishing to hold outdoor sales on Funfest Sunday will need to register as a Funfest Booth and donate a portion of their proceeds to a nonprofit. Sunday’s Street Fair runs from 12 noon to 9:00 p.m., with set-up beginning at 7 a.m. Applications for the Funfest Street Fair can be obtained by calling Funfest at (570) 455-1509 or 1-800-OKFFEST. Requests can also be e-mailed to funfest@hazletonchamber. org. Information is also available at www.funfestpa.org. Funfest is organized by an all volunteer committee and is coordinated by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. P
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