Carefree Truth
Issue #602, November 13, 2017
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer congratulated Gina Kaegi and Ray Villafane for "a really incredible pumpkin festival". It's in it's 3rd year, and was the best yet. It just keeps getting better and better. There was an estimated 20% increase in visitors. The festival had more displays, more activities for the kids, and more merchandise. The final numbers were not yet in, but she thought they did much better at offsetting the costs with new revenue generating opportunities, including merchandise sales and the corn maze. Although there was a small charge to enter the corn maze, it was extremely popular. They could hardly keep up with all the kids wanting to enter the maze. The vendors in the Artists' Market said this was the best show they have done. Trunk or Treat was added on Halloween evening, and was off to a good start for a first time event. Lots of people in costumes came, and the kids had fun. The people there handing out candy from their trunks had a good time too. The Pumpkin Festival website had around 67,000 visitors, a 23% increase over last year, and they spent around 2-1/2 minutes on the site, as opposed to the average website visit of 20 seconds.
Ms. Kroyer believes the Town sponsored events are really good for the town, helping to brand Carefree as a charming and unique place to visit. They create excitement and a sense of anticipation for the residents, and raise awareness of Carefree as a good place to live, do business and visit. They serve as a focal point for economic development by demonstrating to potential developers and businesses that people will come here if we give them something to do. As the town grows and gets more businesses we won't have to depend as much on the festivals, but now they are the way we get people here to see our town. She thanked all of the volunteers who helped out at the festival. There are many moving parts and they couldn't do it without the people who volunteer their time. She reminded people that the Christmas festival is approaching and will also need volunteers. She then turned the floor over to Marketing Director Gina Kaegi.
Mrs. Kaegi said she was tired, but that the pumpkin festival is a labor of love for her. She thanked the late Jim Van Allen for his many volunteer hours in the past. He was very consistent and was missed. He loved the pumpkins, the sand, and Ray. She also thanked Chief Kraetz and the Rural/Metro firefighters for "putting the pumpkins to bed" each night in the Green Room refrigerators. It's a tradition that no other firefighters in the country experience.
The festival received around $8,500 in corporate sponsors. APS, the Carefree Resort/Civana, Eastwood/Keystone Builders, Russ Lyon Realty, and Kendrick Wealth Management all stepped up to the plate. Bashas' donated all the pumpkins for the 2 carving nights and the pumpkin patch. Venues Cafe provided the pumpkin pies for the pie eating contest. She said she couldn't have done her job without the Town's financial support as well. She really appreciates all the local businesses who gave their time for the costume contests.
The YMCA sold out for both of the pumpkin carving nights. Desert Foothills Theater poured beer for 6 straight days. That's a big draw. She feels it is important when designing the festival to include the community and the local non profits, to give back to them and to provide a platform for them. Each year it has been building, and she gets more requests from people who want to participate. Ray said it would be the best year yet and he didn't let us down.
Mrs. Kaegi thanked the people in the room. Tom Cross and Stacey Bridge-Denzak spent endless hours at the corn maze. Lyn and Herbert Hitchon were always there taking pictures. John Traynor was pouring beer. She really appreciated the efforts. There are people on the Council who spent more than their fair share of time on this event. The Mayor and his wife were there every single day for 8 hours or more. Mike Farrar was at the beer gates. Cheryl Kroyer has been here every step of the way. John Crane really knows how to sell merchandise. Gene Orrico sold a lot of pumpkins. He's a real worker who never stops. Mike Krahe read stories. He has a unique personality and the kids loved it.
She thanked staff members Gary Neiss for being there, and Jim Keen for cutting checks promptly. Mrs. Kaegi began this job without an assistant, and created more work for herself than she could handle. Vicki Zimmerman stepped up to become her assistant, and has been there every step of the way too, working at the farmers' market and the merchandise booth, the "Vice President in charge of first impressions", who is invaluable. Mrs. Kaegi thanked Kandace French for making the carvers from foreign countries feel at home. Kevin Stuckey worked the 9 PM-1AM shift, making sure no one touched the pumpkins that remained in place. She thanked the Public Works guys too and hoped she didn't forget to thank anyone. All of the businesses who helped will be listed on the website.
She sees everything and doesn't forget anything people do to help. She really appreciates any hour, any minute, that people can provide to make events special for children, families, visitors, and potential businesses. It is more than just a pumpkin event; it's a way to get together and celebrate the town's successes. George, from the Carefree Bistro, approached her. He said he's reviving and renaming his business, his family is here now, and he's here for the long haul. This is the kind of comment that makes her day. Bacan will be opening soon. This event touches many levels of the community. The pumpkin festival has gathered great momentum, and she hopes the festival will continue for many years.
Mayor Les Peterson said the impact of these events is seen in the economic development. Both major developments in the town, Civana at the Carefree Resort and the luxury apartments that will be going into the town center, said they would not have been interested without the Town's activities and the marketing plan. It is fun, creating a different image for the town, one that's younger, more vibrant and more artistic. The Town is working to balance the costs. It is working to fuel the economic development engine.
Councilman Mike Farrar said he attended the last MAG meeting and invited the mayors, many of whom knew about the event, to the pumpkin festival. Fountain Hills' Mayor Linda Kavanagh brought her entire family and grandchildren, all of whom absolutely love it. Mr. Farrar's hat is off to Gina, Cheryl, Vicki, and all the volunteers. It is a truly special event and he is proud of it. He quoted Ray Villafane as saying this will continue for many, many years and keep growing. He thanked Ray for being absolutely engaging with people. He makes this a very personal and enriching event by spending time with everyone. The potential sponsorship opportunities are exciting because this has become such a big event, which would help underwrite the event and keep it going without taking anything away from it. He constantly heard people saying, "Thank you for keeping this free".
Mayor Peterson joked that of the approximately 6,000 people who paid to use the corn maze and the pirate slide, there was only one who tried to "negotiate". It cost $2 per person, and that person offered $2.20 for 2 people. He said they gave a guided tour to Mayor Kavanagh and her husband, State Legislator John Kavanagh. He could see them thinking, "We've got to do these kinds of things". Mr. Farrar reminded the Mayor to thank his wife for the many hours she too spent at the festival, which he did. Mayor Peterson said the Christmas festival, which is even more complex, is the next big event. It starts on December 1st, so is coming up fast.
https://vimeo.com/241984082
Lyn Hitchon
We are including 3 videos that Herbert made, using some of his many photos taken before and during the Pumpkin Festival. Also included is a longer video Herbert filmed with Ray. In it, Ray shows how to carve a Jack 'O Lantern with a difference. It's all very fun stuff! Enjoy!
Creation of the 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/241633148
Pumpkin town in the Carefree Gardens - 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/242490536
Fun at the Carefree Pumpkin Festival - 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/242498605
Jack ‘O Lantern Carving with Ray Villafane
https://vimeo.com/239053367
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #602, November 13, 2017
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer congratulated Gina Kaegi and Ray Villafane for "a really incredible pumpkin festival". It's in it's 3rd year, and was the best yet. It just keeps getting better and better. There was an estimated 20% increase in visitors. The festival had more displays, more activities for the kids, and more merchandise. The final numbers were not yet in, but she thought they did much better at offsetting the costs with new revenue generating opportunities, including merchandise sales and the corn maze. Although there was a small charge to enter the corn maze, it was extremely popular. They could hardly keep up with all the kids wanting to enter the maze. The vendors in the Artists' Market said this was the best show they have done. Trunk or Treat was added on Halloween evening, and was off to a good start for a first time event. Lots of people in costumes came, and the kids had fun. The people there handing out candy from their trunks had a good time too. The Pumpkin Festival website had around 67,000 visitors, a 23% increase over last year, and they spent around 2-1/2 minutes on the site, as opposed to the average website visit of 20 seconds.
Ms. Kroyer believes the Town sponsored events are really good for the town, helping to brand Carefree as a charming and unique place to visit. They create excitement and a sense of anticipation for the residents, and raise awareness of Carefree as a good place to live, do business and visit. They serve as a focal point for economic development by demonstrating to potential developers and businesses that people will come here if we give them something to do. As the town grows and gets more businesses we won't have to depend as much on the festivals, but now they are the way we get people here to see our town. She thanked all of the volunteers who helped out at the festival. There are many moving parts and they couldn't do it without the people who volunteer their time. She reminded people that the Christmas festival is approaching and will also need volunteers. She then turned the floor over to Marketing Director Gina Kaegi.
Mrs. Kaegi said she was tired, but that the pumpkin festival is a labor of love for her. She thanked the late Jim Van Allen for his many volunteer hours in the past. He was very consistent and was missed. He loved the pumpkins, the sand, and Ray. She also thanked Chief Kraetz and the Rural/Metro firefighters for "putting the pumpkins to bed" each night in the Green Room refrigerators. It's a tradition that no other firefighters in the country experience.
The festival received around $8,500 in corporate sponsors. APS, the Carefree Resort/Civana, Eastwood/Keystone Builders, Russ Lyon Realty, and Kendrick Wealth Management all stepped up to the plate. Bashas' donated all the pumpkins for the 2 carving nights and the pumpkin patch. Venues Cafe provided the pumpkin pies for the pie eating contest. She said she couldn't have done her job without the Town's financial support as well. She really appreciates all the local businesses who gave their time for the costume contests.
The YMCA sold out for both of the pumpkin carving nights. Desert Foothills Theater poured beer for 6 straight days. That's a big draw. She feels it is important when designing the festival to include the community and the local non profits, to give back to them and to provide a platform for them. Each year it has been building, and she gets more requests from people who want to participate. Ray said it would be the best year yet and he didn't let us down.
Mrs. Kaegi thanked the people in the room. Tom Cross and Stacey Bridge-Denzak spent endless hours at the corn maze. Lyn and Herbert Hitchon were always there taking pictures. John Traynor was pouring beer. She really appreciated the efforts. There are people on the Council who spent more than their fair share of time on this event. The Mayor and his wife were there every single day for 8 hours or more. Mike Farrar was at the beer gates. Cheryl Kroyer has been here every step of the way. John Crane really knows how to sell merchandise. Gene Orrico sold a lot of pumpkins. He's a real worker who never stops. Mike Krahe read stories. He has a unique personality and the kids loved it.
She thanked staff members Gary Neiss for being there, and Jim Keen for cutting checks promptly. Mrs. Kaegi began this job without an assistant, and created more work for herself than she could handle. Vicki Zimmerman stepped up to become her assistant, and has been there every step of the way too, working at the farmers' market and the merchandise booth, the "Vice President in charge of first impressions", who is invaluable. Mrs. Kaegi thanked Kandace French for making the carvers from foreign countries feel at home. Kevin Stuckey worked the 9 PM-1AM shift, making sure no one touched the pumpkins that remained in place. She thanked the Public Works guys too and hoped she didn't forget to thank anyone. All of the businesses who helped will be listed on the website.
She sees everything and doesn't forget anything people do to help. She really appreciates any hour, any minute, that people can provide to make events special for children, families, visitors, and potential businesses. It is more than just a pumpkin event; it's a way to get together and celebrate the town's successes. George, from the Carefree Bistro, approached her. He said he's reviving and renaming his business, his family is here now, and he's here for the long haul. This is the kind of comment that makes her day. Bacan will be opening soon. This event touches many levels of the community. The pumpkin festival has gathered great momentum, and she hopes the festival will continue for many years.
Mayor Les Peterson said the impact of these events is seen in the economic development. Both major developments in the town, Civana at the Carefree Resort and the luxury apartments that will be going into the town center, said they would not have been interested without the Town's activities and the marketing plan. It is fun, creating a different image for the town, one that's younger, more vibrant and more artistic. The Town is working to balance the costs. It is working to fuel the economic development engine.
Councilman Mike Farrar said he attended the last MAG meeting and invited the mayors, many of whom knew about the event, to the pumpkin festival. Fountain Hills' Mayor Linda Kavanagh brought her entire family and grandchildren, all of whom absolutely love it. Mr. Farrar's hat is off to Gina, Cheryl, Vicki, and all the volunteers. It is a truly special event and he is proud of it. He quoted Ray Villafane as saying this will continue for many, many years and keep growing. He thanked Ray for being absolutely engaging with people. He makes this a very personal and enriching event by spending time with everyone. The potential sponsorship opportunities are exciting because this has become such a big event, which would help underwrite the event and keep it going without taking anything away from it. He constantly heard people saying, "Thank you for keeping this free".
Mayor Peterson joked that of the approximately 6,000 people who paid to use the corn maze and the pirate slide, there was only one who tried to "negotiate". It cost $2 per person, and that person offered $2.20 for 2 people. He said they gave a guided tour to Mayor Kavanagh and her husband, State Legislator John Kavanagh. He could see them thinking, "We've got to do these kinds of things". Mr. Farrar reminded the Mayor to thank his wife for the many hours she too spent at the festival, which he did. Mayor Peterson said the Christmas festival, which is even more complex, is the next big event. It starts on December 1st, so is coming up fast.
https://vimeo.com/241984082
Lyn Hitchon
We are including 3 videos that Herbert made, using some of his many photos taken before and during the Pumpkin Festival. Also included is a longer video Herbert filmed with Ray. In it, Ray shows how to carve a Jack 'O Lantern with a difference. It's all very fun stuff! Enjoy!
Creation of the 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/241633148
Pumpkin town in the Carefree Gardens - 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/242490536
Fun at the Carefree Pumpkin Festival - 3rd Annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden: 2017
https://vimeo.com/242498605
Jack ‘O Lantern Carving with Ray Villafane
https://vimeo.com/239053367
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.