Press Release -- The winners of the 2014 ALFiE Awards, given by the Arkansas Festivals & Events Association, were announced at the Association’s 31st Annual Conference held at the Lake Point Conference Center in Russellville, January 29-30.   The ALFiE Awards, “Arkansans Love Festivals & Events,” honor the best and brightest of Arkansas’s festivals and special events.  The winners and categories are listed below.

Best New Festival or Event – Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival, Hot Springs.    Eligible events are those still within their first five years; judging is based on the operation’s growth, uniqueness, and community contribution.  Previous winners include Thunder on the Mountain, Ozark; Wakarusa, Ozark; Legends Balloon Rally, Hot Springs; Little Rock’s Sculpture at the River Market Show & Sale; St. Patrick’s Day Celebration featuring the Union County Rock-Paper-Scissors Championship, El Dorado; and Star Daze, Star City.

Outstanding New Idea – Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren for the BLT Bowl.  Eligible festivals have developed a new idea, logo, event, festival, or publication during the previous year which added significantly to the success or popularity of the festival.  Previous winners have been World Championship Duck Calling Contest, Stuttgart; MusicFest El Dorado; Museum of Discovery, Little Rock; Smackover Oil Town Festival; Toad Suck Daze, Conway; and Wing Ding Festival, Jacksonville.

Volunteer of the Year –David Hughes, Hot Springs.  A volunteer who has provided significant enthusiasm and specific expertise while showing initiative and providing leadership, dependability, and a positive attitude for your event for at least 3 years without having received remuneration for services.  Previous honorees include Steve Outlaw, Ozark; Amy Allen, Star Daze (Star City); Rhonda Ray, Smackover Oil Town Festival (Smackover), Keith D. Griffin, Star Daze (Star City), Jerry Rye, Toad Suck Daze (Conway), Diane Atchison, BPW Barn Sale (Camden), and Teresa Golliher, MusicFest (El Dorado).

Festival of the Year – MusicFest El Dorado, El Dorado.  This award is presented to a festival or other special celebration, which stands out among all the festivals in Arkansas, by its creative approach, crowd appeal, media coverage, and/or enhancement of community pride, thus benefiting the state’s quality of life.  MusicFest El Dorado was also named festival of the year in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.  Other previous winners were World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest, Stuttgart; Toad Suck Daze, Conway; Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren; Smoke on the Water, Pine Bluff; and BPW Barn Sale, Camden.

Event of the Year – The First Ever 11th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs.  This award is presented to an event or other special celebration which stands out among all events in Arkansas by its creative approach, crowd appeal, media coverage, and/or enhancement of community pride, thus benefiting the state’s quality of life.  Last year the award went to Purple Friday in Ozark.

Promotional ALFiE Awards were given to top quality examples of festival and event promotions.  Awards were presented in eight categories to the following winners:

Color Brochure –

Gold – Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren

Silver – White River Water Carnival, Batesville

Bronze – Daffodil Festival, Camden

Newspaper/Tabloid –

Gold – Daffodil Festival, Camden

Souvenir –

Gold – Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren (old-fashioned soda mug)

Silver – Toad Suck Daze, Conway (toad bag)

Bronze – The First Ever 11th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs (shamrock glasses)

T-Shirt/Sweatshirt –

Gold – Hot Springs Blues Festival, Hot Springs

Silver – Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren

Bronze – The First Ever 11th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs

Poster –

Gold – Ozark Mountain Music Festival, Eureka Springs

Silver – Hot Springs Blues Festival, Hot Springs

Bronze – Daffodil Festival, Camden

Event Photo –

Gold – Stuart Pennington Running of the Tubs, Hot Springs

Silver – Dinosaur Festival, Nashville

Bronze –Toad Suck Daze, Conway

Event Website –

Gold – MusicFest El Dorado, El Dorado

Silver – Beatles at the Ridge, Walnut Ridge

Bronze – Daffodil Festival, Camden

Social Media Campaign –

Gold – MusicFest El Dorado, El Dorado

Silver – Beatles at the Ridge, Walnut Ridge

Bronze – Dinosaur Festival, Nashville

For further information on the ALFiE Awards or the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association, call AFEA Executive Director, Trina Mitchell (501) 350-2378 or e-mail info@ArFEA.org.