ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Ford Arts Beats & Eats, presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, returns to Royal Oak Sept. 2 – 5, making it the premier destination for Labor Day weekend. Festival founder L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County executive, joined festival organizers today to announce some new collaborations that will bring expanded cultural programs and public engagement components. The festival will also continue to underscore its commitment to healthy living with the return of a number of high-energy initiatives.
“Ford Arts, Beats & Eats is an outstanding cultural experience sustained through meaningful business, community and civic partnerships,” said Patterson. “In addition to attracting more than 350,000 people annually, this quality of life celebration provides a significant economic boost to the region. And it’s just plain fun.”
ARTS AND CULTURE GROW IN THE CITY
In an ongoing effort to encourage and support arts and culture in the city of Royal Oak, a new collaboration between Ford Arts, Beats & Eats and Royal Oak Commission for the Arts introduces an inaugural program, Meters Made Beautiful presented by Ford. Royal Oak will be the first city in Michigan to spearhead this beautification project and contest that will feature up to 150 painted parking meters inside the festival footprint. Amateur and professional artists 18 years of age and older are encouraged to submit an application with their proposed custom design. Winners will have their painted artwork on display not just throughout the four-day festival, but for many years following the annual event. Applications are now being accepted online through July 21 at midnight: www.artsbeatseats.com/meters-made-beautiful.
Selected artists in the Meters Made Beautiful program, approved by a joint Ford Arts, Beats & Eats and Royal Oak Commission for the Arts Committee, will be notified Aug. 5 and receive a stipend for supplies. Meters Made Beautiful painting kickoff will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. During the festival, selected artists also will have the chance to win $4,000 of cash awards, including a first place prize of $1,500. Award winners will be selected by both a jury and festivalgoers’ vote.
“Art is made to be shared and appreciated. We learn and grow when we’re exposed to it. Our partnership with the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts reflects these beliefs,” said Bradley Bellamy, Detroit Region Business Development specialist, Ford Motor Company. “With the pool of creative talent in our region, we’re confident this program will be enthusiastically embraced and showcase some really cool, phenomenal art like nothing we’ve seen.”
“Our city is a destination for great retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, and Meters Made Beautiful will be one more reason for visitors to experience what Royal Oak has to offer,” added Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison. “We really believe we’ve built a great synergy between Ford Arts, Beats & Eats and the Commission for the Arts that will engage festivalgoers and bring art to the forefront of the event.”
EXPRESS YOUR SELFIE
Second year presenting sponsor, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, is upping the ante with #ABEHunt16. This social scavenger hunt and giveaway will offer high-tech fun for visitors to stay socially connected during Ford Arts, Beats & Eats with a chance to win prizes.
To enter the #ABEHunt16 giveaway, participants must take a photo of, with, or in the location of each item/place listed for the scavenger hunt, and then post the photo on the #ABEHunt16 app on Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort’s Facebook page, along with their name, email and zip code. Entrants are eligible to receive an additional entry if their photo submission uses a Soaring Eagle Snapchat Geofilter.
Each day of the festival, four winners will be randomly drawn to receive an overnight stay at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort located in Mount Pleasant, Mich. and one of the following: a round of golf for two at Waabooz Run; four entertainment ticket vouchers; $150 spa credit; or $150 dining credit. One entry will be awarded per photo submission. Participants must be 21 years of age or older to win.
“We are really pumped about bringing #ABEHunt16 to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats this year. Not only is Soaring Eagle able to expand its role in the festival, but we get to do it in a fun way that also exposes them to our brand,” said Raul Venegas, director of marketing and entertainment at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. “People have always loved Ford Arts, Beats & Eats as a backdrop for selfies and Facebook photos, and now they are able to win prizes for doing just what they normally would do while at the festival.”
#ABEHunt16 begins at 11 a.m. Sept. 2, and will end following a 9:30 p.m. drawing on Sept. 5.
INCREASED AUTISM AWARENESS
Thousands of children and their families across Michigan live within the autism spectrum. Ford Arts, Beats & Eats once again is teaming with Autism Alliance of Michigan to provide select families a unique packaged experience as part of the 5th annual Family Days presented by Kroger. On Saturday, Sept. 3; Sunday, Sept. 4; and Monday, Sept. 5, hundreds of children on the autism spectrum and family members will enjoy a one-day access to the festival, which includes free parking as well as free admission, free carnival rides throughout the day and free lunch for the first 750 registrants per day. Additionally, the festival will open one hour early for participating families to give their children private access to the festival carnival.
“We are pleased to have Kroger on board for the first time as an event sponsor,” said Jon Witz, Ford Arts, Beats & Beats event producer. “Its support this year is making it possible for us to offer three days, instead of two, filled with fun and entertainment the children and their families will never forget.”
2016 COMMEMORATIVE FORD ARTS, BEATS & EATS POSTER
Festival organizers have proudly partnered with Royal Oak-based FWD, a design and marketing firm that brought to life the 2016 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats commemorative poster, which also was unveiled today. The design is composed of individual shapes and colors that coalesce forming the poster’s type and imagery, representing the festival’s ability to bring so many people together.
“We are inspired by the talent, creativity and craftsmanship of our local artists, musicians and chefs and designed the poster to celebrate them,” said Melanie Derro, designer and partner at FWD. “We are so thankful to have the opportunity to support events that celebrate our local community through our partnership with Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.”
OTHER KEY COMMUNITY INITIATIVES RETURN
This year’s annual Priority Health Move to the Beats 5K & 10K presented by Life Time Fitness will be held Saturday morning, Sept. 3. The run/walk once again will keep participants energized with DJs and live bands positioned throughout the race course that guides runners and walkers through the streets of Royal Oak.
This year’s race proudly benefits three organizations: Rock CF Foundation, which is dedicated to heightening public awareness about cystic fibrosis and increasing the quality of life for those living with cystic fibrosis; Life Time Foundation, whose mission is to improve children’s nutrition through school lunch programs, inspire healthy people for positive and sustainable change, and support a healthy planet; and newcomer Autism Alliance of Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to leading collaborative efforts across the state that will improve the quality of life for individuals with autism through education, comprehensive services, community awareness, inclusion efforts, and coordinated advocacy. Registration is now open and special rates are offered to those who pre-register. For more information and to register, visit: www.artsbeatseats.com/priority-health-5k-10k.
Festival favorite Zumba® returns to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats! On Saturday, Sept. 3, the Priority Health Zumbathon Celebration will transform the Michigan Lottery Stage into an exhilarating dance fitness explosion from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In conjunction with the metro Detroit fitness company, Vibe Fit, the class will feature other local Zumba instructors from across Michigan. Pre-registration is $7 and day-of registration is $10. To register now, visit: www.artsbeatseats.com/priority-health-zumbathon.
“Priority Health is pleased to continue its partnership with Ford Arts, Beats & Eats and provide Saturday morning health and fitness activities designed to exhilarate the whole family,” said Bob Crisan, director of sales and client services for Priority Health. “These two events highlight the importance of healthy living within the community in creative and fun ways, while also supporting important community organizations.
Returning to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats for its fifth year is the Deaf Arts Festival. Sponsored by St. John Providence, it will feature outstanding visuals and performing arts by a number of artists who are deaf and hard of hearing. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the creators as an enriching and educational experience.
SPONSORS FOR THE 2016 FORD ARTS, BEATS & EATS
The sponsors for the 2016 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats include: Ford, Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Bud Light, Pepsi, Michigan Lottery, Priority Health, City of Royal Oak/Downtown Royal Oak, Detroit Institute of Arts, MetroPCS, Kroger, Beaumont Health System, OUR Credit Union, Total Health Care, Xfinity, Vibe Credit Union, Oakland County Michigan, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sprint, St. John Providence, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Oakland County Parks, LifeTime Fitness, Majic Window, Art Van, Great Expressions Dental Centers, DTE Energy, Made in Detroit, U.S. Park, Detroit Red Wings, Hansons Windows, Light Rx, Detroit Shirt Company, The Great Escape Royal Oak, Ever Dry Waterproofing, Rockstar Energy Drink, Weathergard Windows, M-1 Studios, Atlas Home Improvement, and Power Home Remodeling.
The 19th annual Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, is Oakland County’s premier festival held from September 2 – 5, 2016. The festival paints downtown Royal Oak with a variety of art, food and music for the community to enjoy. More than 380,000 visitors attended the 2015 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats celebrating its sixth year in Royal Oak. “LIKE” artsbeatseats on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @artsbeatseats. For additional public information, visit www.artsbeatseats.com or call 248-541-7550.
Source: Ford Arts, Beats & Eats