Dear Friend of the Appalachian Festival:
As you may know, The Appalachian Community Development Association (The A.C.D.A.) produces the annual Appalachian Festival held at Coney Island each May. Celebrating its 42nd Anniversary this year, the Appalachian Festival continues to be the only major event in Cincinnati celebrating Appalachian Heritage and Culture. In 2010, the Appalachian Festival attracted over 25,000 patrons who took part in our various hands-on educational activities, music programs, and folklore demonstrations. This year's attendance should be even larger!
As our audience grows, we continue to develop new cultural, musical and educational programs, causing our Festival expenses to increase. During our first 40 years of operation, the Appalachian Festival existed entirely from gate income, donations from individuals (printers, artists, designers and photographers), and the efforts of the Festival's all volunteer committee. Noting our tremendous growth and history of success, the 2010 Appalachian Festival Committee approached local foundations and corporations for financial support, with little success.
A weekend of inclement weather impacts even the best organized and promoted event. Regardless of attendance, Festival expenses must still be paid. More importantly, a festival's financial loss severely effects an organization's financial base, especially the Appalachian Festival which donates a large portion of profits to area Appalachian-oriented projects through A.C.D.A.'s Small Grants Program.
We are writing to request your financial support for the 2011 Appalachian Festival. Your contribution will help ensure that the festival continues each year, come rain or shine. Appalachian Festival friends have been the catalyst for growth, diversity and extended programming over the last 40 years. Without your long-term support, the Appalachian Festival would not be planning to celebrate its 42nd Anniversary this year. Please join the A.C.D.A. and the Appalachian Festival in continuing our successful history of celebrating Appalachian Culture.
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