In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director and CEO of The Woodlands Arts Council and The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. They explore the unique role of art festivals in fostering community, discuss the intricacies of planning large-scale arts events, and reflect on the journey of building a nationally recognized festival. Jenny shares valuable insights for those looking to create meaningful cultural experiences and highlights the enduring appeal of art in public spaces.

Key Points:

- [0:00] - Introduction to The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival

Mike introduces Jenny Carattini-Wright and gives an overview of The Woodlands Arts Council, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting public art and fostering creativity in the community.

- [4:45] - Art’s Role in Community Building

Jenny shares how art festivals act as the “fabric of a community,” bringing people together, inspiring reflection, and fostering creativity along the picturesque Woodlands Waterway.

- [6:37] - Volunteers: The Backbone of Success

Jenny highlights the contributions of over 500 volunteers who make The Woodlands Art Festival possible, with dedicated teams handling everything from artist relations to logistics.

- [16:36] - The Challenge of Keeping Events Fresh

Jenny discusses the strategies used to make each festival unique, such as relocating artists, adding new performance stages, and integrating different art forms.

- [17:30] - Expanding Accessibility and Diversity

After experiencing record attendance, Jenny discusses the evolution of the festival to include dog-friendly policies and family-oriented art spaces.

- [22:45] - Advice for Starting an Art Event in Smaller Communities

For newcomers, Jenny emphasizes starting small, understanding local audiences, and collaborating with other community events like farmers markets.

Quotable Moments:

• [1:02] “Art can be the fabric of a community. It builds social engagement, inspires reflection, and sparks creativity.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

• [6:37] “Our volunteers are the heart of this festival. Their passion for art makes this event a success year after year.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

• [17:30] “We want the festival to be fresh every year, to surprise our guests while honoring the artists and their unique contributions.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

Links Mentioned:

• Festival Soup: https://festivalsoup.com
• Woodlands Arts Council: https://www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/

Tune in to learn how to bring art into your community, the importance of innovation in festival planning, and tips from Jenny for creating art-focused events on any scale. Don’t miss this insightful episode on the power of art to unite and inspire! Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Mary Margaret Campbell, founder of the Dobie Dichos storytelling event. Together, they dive into the unique storytelling culture of Texas festivals, celebrating folklore, the legacy of J. Frank Dobie, and how storytelling can be the heart of any event. Campbell shares her insights from running Dobie Dichos and the historic George West Story Fest, explaining how stories bridge generations, teach cultural values, and bring communities together.

Key Points:

[0:00] - The Importance of Storytelling in Festivals

Mary Margaret explains the Dobie Joes festival, a Texas event dedicated to honoring the famous folklorist J. Frank Dobie.

[3:15] - Origins and Legacy of J. Frank Dobie

Details about Dobie’s contributions to Texas folklore and the mission behind Dobie Joes in preserving his work.

[10:37] - Building Community through Storytelling

Campbell discusses George West Story Fest and how it began as a small gathering, growing into an event with thousands, showcasing storytelling, cowboy music, and a Texas Liar’s Contest.

[16:54] - Memorable Guests at Dobie Joes

From local historians to famous authors, Dobie Joes has hosted storytellers like Paulette Giles, author of News of the World, and Lonesome Dove screenwriter Bill Wittliff.

[24:42] - Incorporating Storytelling into Any Event

Mary Margaret shares tips on using storytelling to engage festival audiences of all ages, even in non-storytelling-themed events, such as holiday festivals.

[30:55] - Tips for Creating a Storytelling Festival

From themes to music, she outlines the steps to weave storytelling into festivals and create a welcoming environment for all.

Quotable Moments:

[2:02] “If it weren’t for J. Frank Dobie, much of the folklore of Texas and the Southwest would have been lost.” — Mary Margaret Campbell

[5:26] “Stories help us see how other people think about life… and maybe understand ourselves better.” — Mary Margaret Campbell

[25:08] “You don’t want to just ‘dump’ storytelling into a festival; bring it in gradually and see where it resonates.” — Mary Margaret Campbell

Storytelling brings a festival to life, connects audiences, and preserves cultural history. Whether through a dedicated storytelling event like Dobie Joes or as an addition to any festival, these narratives spark engagement and community. Ready to add some storytelling magic to your event? Subscribe to Festival Soup and join us next week for more insights and expert advice.

In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter chats with Joe Vera, Assistant City Manager of McAllen, Texas, about the inspiring story and behind-the-scenes magic of the McAllen Holiday Parade. Celebrating over a decade of tradition, this parade has grown to become one of the largest in Texas, drawing in hundreds of thousands of attendees. They discuss the logistics, community impact, and the four pillars behind McAllen’s success in transforming a local event into a celebrated holiday destination.

Key Points:

- [0:30] - The Parade's Impact on Community

Joe shares how parades unite the community, especially children, through tradition and celebration.

- [2:12] - From Vision to Spectacular Reality

The McAllen Holiday Parade began as a simple vision from a 2013 city retreat, evolving into a nationally recognized event.

- [6:38] - Handling Unexpected Growth

The inaugural parade’s massive turnout of over 200,000 guests taught the team crucial lessons in event logistics.

- [10:15] - Maximizing Parade Profits

Joe explains the strategic use of a local stadium to host spectators, sell tickets, and integrate sponsor visibility.

- [15:48] - Adding Star Power

Celebrities like Dallas Cowboys players and popular TV stars attract spectators, blending entertainment for diverse demographics.

- [20:04] - A Broadcast Extravaganza

The parade's TV broadcast reaches over 30 major U.S. markets, reinforcing McAllen’s brand and regional impact.

- [24:33] - McAllen Parade’s Fourfold Mission

Joe explains the event’s guiding goals: enhancing quality of life, promoting safety, creating a tourism destination, and boosting economic impact.

Quotable Moments:

[1:19] “A parade is all about celebration… the joy and wonder of bringing the community together.” – Joe Vera

[17:02] “We found the right mix with Dallas Cowboys’ players—suddenly the sea of blue lined the parade route.” – Joe Vera

[27:04] “This parade was our way of showcasing McAllen’s safe, vibrant, and welcoming environment.” – Joe Vera

Links Mentioned:

• McAllen Holiday Parade: http://McAllenHolidayParade.com
• Texas Festivals and Events Association: http://texasfea.org
• Festival Soup Website: http://festival-soup.com

The McAllen Holiday Parade illustrates the power of festivals to foster community spirit and drive economic growth. Joe Vera’s insights reveal how thoughtful planning and strategic partnerships have transformed a city tradition into a major cultural draw. Subscribe to Festival Soup for more insights on crafting memorable festivals and join us next time as we explore more stories from the world of festivals and events.