A Toast to the Art, Beer and Wine Festival

Yesterday, the Art, Beer & Wine Festival presented by County National Bank and the Ella Sharp Museum welcomed around 5,800 guests and over 150 vendors for a record-breaking year in all facets.

While there are always areas of improvement, we are thankful for your patience and understanding that your local non-profit museum did our very best with the resources we had to pull off this fundraiser. We were ecstatic to see such a strong turnout from the Jackson community and visitors from across the midwest. It is hard to comprehend that this festival has grown from the 1,250 person social to the celebration that took place yesterday, which brought in approximately $208,000 (gross) for museum programming, staffing, and support.

I would like to send a special thank you to the teams at County National Bank, Richmond Brothers, Inc., the The Craft Agency, Inc, Willis & Machnik Financial Services, LLC, Art Moehn Auto Group, Erin Mazur & Marco Shehab, JTV, Grand River Brewery, Experience Jackson, K-105.3 Jackson's Hit Music Station, CP Federal Credit Union, Community Choice Credit Union, Commonwealth Associates, Inc., Michigan International Speedway, Jackson Magazine, 308 Brass Rail, Rooney's Sewer Service, and Andy Ladwig for your support as sponsors, community partners, and friends in the delivery of the event.

Most importantly, thank you to the staff at the Ella Sharp Museum that put up with my shenanigans and ideas throughout the year. Mad, mad props to Jena Smoyer, the coordinator of 300+ volunteers. Internally, she is the true reason of the success of the festival, as it could not function to the level that it does without the support of volunteers and resourcing. In addition, huge applause to Erik Lyman, Rachel Veramay, and Elizabeth Palmer for stepping out of your traditional roles to engage support the event throughout the week, from ticket sales to shlepping tables around. Thank you Clay McAndrews and Christine Vo for the creative engagement through graphics and social media, as well as creating the First Annual Sip Showdown, where Cherry Creek Winery took home the crown! Festival intern Hanna Holmi spent countless hours recruiting new vendors, sponsors, and aiding with behind-the-scene support, adding structure, creativity, and enthusiasm to the event; you are one-of-a-kind and will do amazing things in Minneapolis at 3M.

Lastly, thank you to Kirstie Liechty and my family for supporting me through this, allowing for a quality work / life balance after traditional work hours. I love you and thank you for all of the emotional assistance!

Here's a toast to all of you and all that came out to the festival yesterday, creating the electric atmosphere that will be talked about until we meet again on the grounds of the museum on June 8, 2019 for another record-breaking year. Cheers!

??: Ryan P. Kerwin & JTV