Blues Festival Gives Money, Recognizes Volunteers
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 7/3/2011)
Volunteers for the Ferndale Blues Festival were recognized at Monday night’s City Council meeting. Organizers also presented a check for $4,000 to one of the event’s benefactors, Ferndale Youth Assistance.
January 28- Feb 5, 2011 was the 10th annual Ferndale Blues Festival, a 20-venue celebration of music, food, drinks and fun that raises money for local charities. This year’s event brought in over $19,000 which benefits Ferndale Youth Assistance and Michigan AIDS Coalition.
Two regular Blues Festival volunteers, Dennis Hoeppner and Anne Hubbarth, joined event organizers Craig Covey and Monica Mills at the June 27, 2011 City Council meeting to present awards to others. Audrey Horosko and Josh Jaime played crucial roles in concert and event outreach by “welcoming blues fans and asking for donations at least 9 of the 10 days.”
Hubbarth, who is a Royal Oak resident and active member of the Detroit Blues Society, was the volunteer coordinator for Blues Festival. She presented a volunteer award to Mindy Swartz who came on this year as a rookie, yet stepped up to handle many important tasks.
“In my opinion she hit the ball hard and out of the park, and she smiled as she ran all the bases and tagged home,” Hubarth said. Swartz went to almost all nights of the festival to help raise money. She also took over coordinating the volunteers for the Rib Burn Off, and made a personal donation to the event.
The coveted Blue Pig award went to Jack Aaronson, who is the owner of Garden Fresh Salsa and a regular supporter of community events. Aaronson came out in the blizzard-like weather to cook for the Rib Burn Off, and Garden Fresh was the main sponsor of the event.
Other sponsors were thanked publically, including Bud Light, Blue Care Network, Dino’s Lounge, Level One Bank, Bar Downstairs, Danny’s Irish Pub, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hodges Subaru, AJ’s Music Café, Detroit Blues Society and Ferndale 115 News.
View the council meeting presentation here.
Check out previous Blues Festival coverage:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/01/18/ferndale-blues-festival-comes-jan-28-feb-5/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/01/22/bobby-murray-talks-about-the-blues/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/02/01/marty-o%E2%80%99neill-set-to-defend-rib-burn-off-title
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/02/06/rib-burn-off-results/
http://www.ferndale115.com/20100508bluesfest.html
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