Everybody's Day
100th Anniversary
Contact:
Doug Croft
336-475-6134
Fax: 336-475-4802
Email:
tvillecoc@northstate.net
Below is media information about the 2008
Everybody’s Day festival in Thomasville,
NC on September 27. Attached are entertainer photos, bios and sponsor
logos.
General festival photos are
also available through email.
We welcome interviews and will gladly provide support for broadcast media. Please feel free to call or email.
Welcome to the 100th
Anniversary of
Everybody’s Day - sponsored by
Thomasville Medical Center. This year’s annual event will be held on
Saturday, September 27 in downtown Thomasville, NC.
The festival has many fun and exciting aspects that are sure to provide a pleasant day of fun for …. well, everybody!
Officially, the hours of
the festival are from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Special features –
exclusively for the 100th
Anniversary:
Everybody’s Hands Mural
– Every festival visitor is invited to place his or her personal handprint on a
special new downtown mural. The permanent mural will commemorate this 100th
anniversary of Everybody’s Day and – everybody who participates! “This is
a very exciting opportunity to engage – everybody – in creating a new piece of
public art within downtown Thomasville. This is public art – made by the
public.” – Doug Croft, President of the Thomasville Area Chamber of
Commerce and festival manager. Communities In Schools of
Thomasville is coordinating this special event and each participant is invited
to make a small donation to CIS.
Gifts for Everybody
– The first 5,000 festival visitors will each receive a commemorative 100th
Anniversary bookmark. The bookmarks are donated by one of Thomasville’s
oldest businesses – the Baptist Children’s Homes of NC.
Official State
Recognition - The North Carolina
General Assembly has recognized
Everybody’s Day with a special resolution
honoring this year’s 100th Anniversary! Recognizing the
festival’s origins in 1908 and its status as the oldest festival in the state,
the resolution encourages all citizens of the State of North Carolina to
celebrate
Everybody’s Day in downtown on September
27, 2008.
Old
Everybody’s Day films
– Video of 1950’s era
Everybody’s Day will be shown on the
City’s Channel 13 in late September and early October.
Other highlights of the 100th
Anniversary
Everybody’s Day are:
Þ
Performance by the Legends of Beach
featuring five original member of the Embers
Þ
Reunion show by North Carolina’s most
successful rock n roll band ever – Nantucket!
Þ
35 Arts & Craft vendors in a special
Artisan’s Block. These vendors are all true artists and craft-persons
competing for the “Best in Show” prize awards.
Þ
150 additional arts, craft and other
vendors from southeastern United States.
Þ
Food Court featuring twenty-five vendors
offering a huge assortment of delectable delights to meet everybody’s culinary
desires. Over seventy menu items will be available in the Food Court.
Many of the food vendors are local civic organizations that use proceeds from
Everybody’s Day to support many local
charitable causes.
Þ
Kids Craft Village hosted by Smart Start
of Davidson County. Interactive family activities.
Þ
Children’s carnival rides, games and
more.
Þ
Three stages of live entertainment with
beach music, rhythm and blues, rock n roll, country, gospel, bluegrass and
dance.
Þ
Golf tournament sponsored by BB&T.
2008 marks the 100th
anniversary of the original
Everybody’s Day making
Everybody’s Day, North Carolina’s
Oldest Festival.
Everybody’s Day has been coordinated by
the Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce since 1984.
According to Police estimates, over 80,000 people attend Everybody’s Day.
Everybody’s Day is always held on the
last Saturday of September in downtown Thomasville.
Everybody’s Day requires thousands of
hours of planning and coordination. Chamber of Commerce volunteers and
staff log the hours over a yearlong period to insure success.
Approximately 80 local and regional businesses participate in the festival by
donating goods, services and sponsorship funds that make the festival possible.
An important festival partner is the City of Thomasville. Mayor Joe Bennett, the City Council, City Manager Kelly Craver, Department Heads and much of the City staff provide important support and services. Without this support, the thousands of visitors could not enjoy the festival each year.
Providing electrical power
to many festival booths and entertainment stages at a daylong outdoor event is
challenging. Central Triad Services, led by David Peters, steps up to that
challenge and makes the festival a huge success.
Responding to suggestions from the true artisans and crafters, Everybody’s Day developed an Artisan’s Block. This section of the festival features thirty-five juried artists and crafters who compete for prizes including the title of “Best in Show!” Everybody’s Day awards a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place.
Artists in the Artisan’s Block produce, show and sell craft products in pottery, wood, metal, watercolor, jewelry, candles and sewing.
(Kerr Drug Parking Lot)
Sponsored by:
Bank of North Carolina
&
Thomasville Furniture Industries
9:00 am
Donna Hughes
from Trinity, NC
10:00 am
Legends of Beach
from Raleigh, NC
12:30 pm
Swampdawamp
from Charlotte, NC
Presented by: Cooke Realty of Ocean Isle Beach
2:30 pm
Nantucket
from Raleigh, NC
We would be glad to assist in arranging interviews with performers. Contact Doug Croft at 336-475-6134.
Email dougcroft@northstate.net for entertainer photos, logos, etc.
Donna Hughes
Press kit available by email. Just click here: dougcroft@northstate.net.
Legends of Beach
http://www.legendsofbeach.com/index.cfm?CFID=109516588&CFTOKEN=45383391
Swampdawamp
Press kit available by email. Just click here: dougcroft@northstate.net.
http://www.swampdawamp.info/welcome.htm
Nantucket
Press kit available by email. Just click here: dougcroft@northstate.net.
http://www.2112online.com/nantucket/feedback.html
Kids Craft Village
Hosted by Smart Start of Davidson County
Everybody
gets to be an artist at
Everybody’s Day! Smart Start of
Davidson County will host a special kids Craft Village where kids (of all ages)
can create beautiful art - whether painting, sand play, or even music.
Painting – on a large piece of paper to be used creatively with an assortment of
materials to decorate the early childhood wall. Parents are encouraged to
join their children in this fun family activity. Theme: The Great
Wall of Young Children
A
sand play area will delight children of all ages.
Children will also have the opportunity to play with a variety of musical
instruments. Families will be able to identify the maestro in their child.
“Everybody’s Day is more than just a community
celebration; it is indeed an arts, crafts and entertainment festival. We
are very excited that the Smart Start team will be helping budding artists
explore their own potential. What better way to introduce youngsters to
the beauty of arts, crafts and music then letting them experience it
themselves.” – Doug Croft, Festival Director
Award winning
Everybody’s Day has received twelve industry recognition awards from the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events.
“We’re very proud to be recognized by our peers,” states festival manager Doug Croft. “Many of the other award-winning festivals have full time staffs who work on their event year-long. Our festival staff has a full time job operating a Chamber of Commerce. We’re glad to be recognized at the same level as many of the state’s best events.”
1997 – Best Unique Merchandise
1998 – Sponsor of the Year (Lexington State Bank)
1998 – Best New Sponsorship program
2000 – Festival Director of the Year (Doug Croft)
2002 – Best Logo
2003 – Best Merchandise
2003 – Best Community Relations Program
2004 – Sponsor of the Year (City of Thomasville)
2005 – Festival Person of the Year (Judy Smith)
2005 – Sponsor of the Year (Thomasville Medical Center)
2006 - Best Volunteer Group (Christian Life Center Men’s Group)
The Southeast Tourism Society has recognized Everybody’s Day as a Top 20 Event for the month of September.
Lead festival sponsor
Thomasville Medical Center marks their 8th year as lead sponsor.
"Thomasville Medical Center’s support helped us take this festival to a new level," states Chamber President Doug Croft. “They have a wonderful facility and have invested millions of dollars in advanced medical services for our local citizens. The hospital’s staff team is tremendous and it is a pleasure to work with them.”
“It is indeed Thomasville Medical Center's pleasure to partner with the
Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce for the 100th celebration of the
Everybody's Day Festival. Thomasville Medical Center will be stationed in
the middle of the festival events conveniently located for everybody to stop by
to meet some of the remarkable physicians providing medical care in our
area. Look for the big blue Thomasville Medical Center tent and stop by for a
variety of medical information and a free gift. First aid will also be
available at the tent. Take a rest in the shade under our tent in between
enjoying all the activities that the festival has to offer. The Everybody's Day
festival provides a great day of fun and outdoor activities for everybody!”
- Jane Wilder, Community Relations Director
Thomasville Chevrolet Buick Pontiac
(Parking lot behind Chamber office)
9:00 am
Kid City Cloggers
10:00 am
N 2 Danzin
11:00 am
Pride of Carolina Cloggers
12:00 noon
Silent Witness
1:00 pm
Wet-C-Ment
2:00 pm
Bobbi’s School of Dance
Gospel Stage
(North State Communications Parking Lot)
&
Thomasville Ford
The Gospel Stage features a
variety of local gospel groups throughout the day. Most of the singing
groups represent churches from throughout the Thomasville area.
9:00 am
The Good News Quarter
10:00 am
The Ball Family
&
Humble Hearts
11:00 am
Revelation
12:00 pm
The Grove Singers
1:00 pm
Barry Ball Singers
2:00 pm
Prodigal Son
3:00 pm
Won Love
BB&T
Hosts 19th annual
Everybody’s Day
Golf Tournament
The 19th annual
Everybody’s Day Golf Tournament will be
held on Monday, September 22 at Thomasville’s Winding Creek Golf Course. A
modified captain’s choice format provides the opportunity for enjoyment for all
levels of players. Players will be vying for the “Big Chair Cup!”
BB&T has hosted this
tournament since it’s inception in 1990. “We’ve been proud to be part of
Everybody’s Day as well as this golf
tournament from the very beginning,” says BB&T’s Judy McDaniel. “This is a
key partnership event for our bank.”
The tournament serves
several purposes says Chamber of Commerce President Doug Croft. “The
tournament helps raise funds to produce the overall festival. It’s a
wonderful supporting event.”
Croft adds that through the
tournament, the Chamber provides another business networking activity.
“It’s true what they say - that business sometimes gets done on the golf course.
This is another example of the Chamber’s role in helping local business leaders
make connections.”
The golf tournament is open
to the public. Contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 475-6134 to sign
up as an individual or team.
Central Triad Services
Powers Up
Everybody’s
Day
Have you ever blown a fuse or had an electrical issue in your home or place of work? If so, you know how frustrating it can be. It interrupts and takes time and money for repair.
Thanks to Central Triad
Services Everybody’s Day powers up twenty-five kitchens, four entertainment
stages, and a carnival – all at the same time!
“We are so thankful to have David Peters and his staff,” says Chamber of Commerce President Doug Croft. “Without electricity, there would be no food, entertainment or rides at our festival.”
Festival leaders recall
electrical problems of years past. Blown fuses, inoperable plugs, and
inability to meet demand loads. “We are festival organizers, not
electricians,” adds Croft. Central Triad Services donates their support
for Everybody’s Day and the Chamber because it’s just the right thing to do.
“Everybody’s Day is such an important community event. We are glad to help
make sure all of the electrical systems run smoothly,” comments David Peters.
First Aid
Thomasville Medical Center as well as the
Thomasville Rescue Squad will provide First Aid and emergency services at the
festival. The first aid area will be located at the corner of Main and
Randolph Streets.
Everybody’s Day is indeed for everybody!
Handicapped Services
The following special
services are available for handicapped visitors.
The parking lot immediately
behind Thomasville City Hall is designated as official handicapped parking for
festival visitors. The lot will be identified with a sign. It is
accessed from Thomas Street.
Portable toilets with
handicapped accessibility will be available in downtown Thomasville for the
festival. Signs on the facilities identify the handicapped accessible
toilets.
Handicapped accessible
restrooms are also available adjacent to the Visitor Center which is housed in
North Carolina’s oldest railroad depot near the corner of West Main Street and
Trade Street.
Downtown Thomasville offers
many corner curb cuts for wheelchair use. This includes the main square
intersection of Main Street with Randolph and Salem Streets.
For the comfort, safety and
enjoyment of all festival visitors,
City of Thomasville
Ordinance prohibits the following at
Everybody’s Day:
Pets
Silly String
Stink Bombs
Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters
Noted and obvious
exceptions include wheelchairs for handicapped as well as Leader Dogs for blind or sight impaired.
Doug Croft
President
336-475-6134
dougcroft@northstate.net
Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce
P O Box 1400
Thomasville NC 27360
http://www.thomasvillechamber.net
http://www.everybody'sday.com
Platinum Investors:
Old Dominion Freight Lines * Wachovia Bank * Thomasville Furniture Industries