First snow on the Peaks and festival season is over for 2014. I must say it was a crazy year for Peak Events. We picked up four amazing interns from NAU who have exceeded all expectations, and sadly we’re saying goodbye to an intern we’ve had for over 2 years as she moves on to Salt Lake City. We started a new festival – Mountain Country and for those of you who attended – thank you, we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback and are looking at acts that can build on what we started, and for those who didn’t attend – well, you missed one heck of a great time!
I am so looking forward to 2015, and not just because there will be NO NEW FESTIVALS for Peak Events, but because we will be building our 2 newest festivals into bigger and better events. Starting a new festival is hard work, trying to get the word out (and lets face it – I talk ALL THE TIME), stay on budget, hope and pray for good weather, and basically hold your breath and jump. I can’t believe in 2015 Flagstaff Blues and Brews will be in its 3rd year!!!! Holy MOLY time flies. Of course anyone who reads this blog knows that’s MY baby and I’m becoming a bit obsessed. I’m planning on attending the IBC or the International Blues Competition in Memphis in January. And I’m leaving a space open at our festival for an act or two that I feel Flagstaff needs to see. I’m really re-arranging how we sell tickets and tastings, the national acts are going to be SO COOL!!!! And I’m thinking of adding VIP. It’s all in planning stages and I’m sure Jennifer will try her hardest to reign in all my ideas so that the festival can “grow” into itself, but I’m always pushing her to add MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!!
No new festivals, WOW – that means so much more time for our Mountain Country Festival and making sure year 2 is AMAZING!!!! Let’s all hope that global warming doesn’t send another 5 hurricanes through Arizona and we get fantastic weather for 2015! Or even normal weather – because normal weather in September is usually pretty fantastic! We’ve started working on partnerships and how we can improve this festival. Obviously, getting the word out, getting a few stellar acts and adding a few new things or attractions are the top priorities. I’m so excited to see where this festival goes. The sky’s the limit with this event and while growing it into its potential is a lot of work, I think next year will be one for the books.
And then we had the 6th Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest. The city pretty much played the Grinch with the grass, but it didn’t stop over 6300 of you from coming out and enjoying a fun day of good food, good beer and fun contests throughout the day. We’re hoping that next year we can add a bit more to this one, more vendors for sure, we’ll either be at Wheeler Park or we’ll have to move. I’m seriously hoping that the city keeps their word on one day festivals and allows us to stay. It’s such a fun festival for Flagstaff and we enjoy producing it. However, I hate the same old same old, so I’m already thinking of something new to add to our 7th year!!!! Oh it could be epic!
So, now I’m working on consulting jobs, private events, and business events along with next year’s festivals. Loving life and glad I made the decision to start Peak Events 13 years ago. The time has flown, I’ve met so many new and amazing people and life just gets better and better. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and who has attended our festivals. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!!!
Deb