This year we have also added a handy online application…and you can now pay online too!

And, we have also added a payment plan (we know how tight money is January/February).

We are so excited about the big move to Coolidge Park!

As with any major changes, there is a lot to consider (lots of pros and cons). We consulted a number of officials and artists before making the change. All involved unanimously agreed this move will be a big step up for the festival.

So what are the pros and cons?

Pros
1) More exposure. As mentioned before, Coolidge is the most popular park in Chattanooga, daily attendance in the summer numbers in the thousands. The park sits directly between the Walnut St and Market St Bridge, directly on the Tennessee River. The Carousel, the Fountain and the Delta Queen make up the “corners” of the park.

2) Earlier date. This was done for a number of reasons. First, we are gambling on somewhat cooler weather (the record high 96 on Sunday was a festival killer this year) Another bonus about Coolidge Park are the taller and more numerous trees create a lot more shade. Second, with the popularity of Coolidge Park for hosting events, it was the best weekend available for April or May. Third, less competition than Memorial Day Weekend (there are a number of major events in the Chattanooga area that weekend). Fourth, better media exposure (more about that in the coming weeks).

3) Fixed Stage. Coolidge Park has permanent stage. This will be great for focusing all our music into one area.

4) More fun for the family. As mentioned above, Coolidge Park has a large fountain that kids can play in and a wonderful 100 year old Carousel.

5) Free Electric Shuttle. Carta has a free shuttle that runs from the Tennessee Aquarium to the NorthShore and right by Coolidge Park.

Cons
1) Less “funky”. Along with the step up in moving to Coolidge Park, the “professionalism” of the show will step up too. Renaissance Park was a self-contained park and allowed us to have a little more of a party atmosphere, Coolidge has a few more rules, but don’t worry, we have some great plans to make sure it is still fun for the artists. Who-Fest might be “growing up” a little bit, but that doesn’t mean we are “growing old” (aka boring).

2) Cost. Coolidge Park costs 3x as much to rent at Renaissance (it is so popular, there is a waiting list for events to be scheduled there). Also, with the higher traffic volume (including into the night), we will have to employee quite a bit more security. However, we have done a preliminary budget and we promise that the booth fee will not be increased by more than $30. This is the first time since Who-Fest was moved to Chattanooga that we have increased the entry fee. We work very hard to keep the fees as low as possible.

3) Load In/Out. The best thing about Renaissance was the ability for artists to pull right up to there booth to unload. Unfortunately that is not possible at Coolidge Park. However, the way we have proposed to set up the event will at Coolidge, most of the booths will be within 50 feet of the main road next to the park. We are also working to rent some “Gators” (think: big golf carts with loading beds) and will have extra volunteers to help the artists load and unload. This was one of our biggest concerns (after rental costs), but we feel we will have a great plan of action to make load in/out as easy as possible for the artists.

So, that’s all we have right now. Over the next two months we should have some other major announcements that will help ensure that Who-Fest [12] will be the best Who-Fest ever!

As always, we would love to hear from our friends, patrons and artists. Let us know what you think.

But, a new 2011 application has now been added. You can either click the application button above, or click HERE

Who-Fest [11] will be the best yet…we have a lot of great additions and surprises for 2011…be sure to keep checking back here for regular updates.

And make sure to friend us on Facebook for updates…Winder Binder Facebook Page

1) For the first time, Who-Fest will have four (4) $250 patron awards.

2) For the first time, Who-Fest has an official media partner.  We are very pleased to announce that Brewer Media (3 radio stations, 2 online websites and a weekly entertainment paper) has partnered with Who-Fest.  Over the next 4 weeks, The Pulse (newsprint edition) will have weekly ads (2 weeks, half page – 2 weeks, full page) and the two websites chattanoogapulse.com and chattanoogahasfun.com will have rotating banner ads.  Also, The Pulse radio will feature a number of discussions about the festival.

Brewer Media has been wonderful to spearhead this effort, they share the same vision we do of a first class Folk Art Festival in Chattanooga.

3) For the first time, Who-Fest will have a Friday night “preview party” at Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore (only a block away from the festival site).  $10 at the door to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee (100% of the door money will go to Make-A-Wish).  We will also exhibiting/selling selected works from the artists.  If you are interested in participating, let us know.

If you a patron, please mark your calendars for May 28th through May 30th.

If you are an artist (and haven’t yet applied), there is still some room available.  Click the application link at the top of the page for more info.

Contact Info:
Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore
Attn: David
40 Frazier Avenue
Chattanooga TN 37405
423-413-8999
winderbinder@comcast.net

The festival will once again be held on Memorial Day Weekend.  The show dates are Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th, 2010.

This year will se a number of new additions to the festival, including a Patron Preview Party on the Friday night before the festival.  The event will be held at Winder Binder Gallery and will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee.

We are also planning our first annual Art Car event to be held in conjunction with the festival and there will an expanded children’s art and activity area.

Look for more information on this site around Thanksgiving.

In case you are wondering (artists), Friday set-up starts at 3pm and continues on until 7pm (though if you need to stay later, we are happy to accommodate).

We please ask that you try to not come before then, the Winder Binder staff has a lot of things to do earlier in the day to prep the site, and it is very difficult when also trying to direct traffic. If we get our work finished early, we will open the site earlier, BUT not until we have our own prep work done. Thanks for the understanding!

And while I am here, I wanted to take a moment to say two things….

First, I want to thank Chris Beck for helping me set the stage and tent tonight. It is not an easy task, impossible for someone on their own and Chris took time out from his own Who-Fest preparations and drove from Dalton to help me out. I just wanted everyone to know what a great friend Chris is to do these kinds of things for me.

Second, as I was sitting by myself this evening, looking out of the site, I felt a sense of melancholy pass over me for just a moment and I realized how much I will miss Bucketman this year (for those who don’t know, Danny “the Bucketman” Hoskinson passed on last year and Who-Fest was his last show).

So, to remedy my melancholy mood, I went back to the gallery and made a Milagros Cross…the cross, and my only personal piece of Bucketman art (a backscratcher) will be on display as a small memorial to Danny…it will be in his old booth, a booth space that I have vowed to never fill again. It is Danny’s space and always will be.

God Bless You Bucketman, we love you and miss you terribly.