During the recent Downtown Farmington Founders Festival, Farmington Hills fire fighters conducted a “Fill the Boot” campaign and raised $888.00 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On behalf of our 39 members, I want to thank everyone who contributed and hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer!
Respectfully,
John Kastran
President
Farmington Hills Fire Fighters Association
Local 2659, International Association of Fire Fighters
Don’t ask us how they did it, but Farmington officials convinced MDOT to close down Grand River June 5 and 6 this year, for Art on the Grand.
This juried art fair is usually held during the Farmington Area Founders Festival in mid-July and organized by the City of Farmington Hills. Folks with the Downtown Development Authority have been talking about moving it since the DDA took over the Festival. They’re looking to have one big event in each season, to bring more people into the central business district.
Moving Art on the Grand TO “the Grand,” rather than shoe-horning it into Memorial Park at the corner of Grand River and Oakland Streets, makes a lot of sense. Having a June date moves it out from under the shadow of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and gives it plenty of room to grow.
And hey, how bad can it be to have another party in Downtown Farmington this year?
–JH-G
We’re starting 2010 with very sad news. Farmington’s own Dick Tupper passed away Sunday, January 3.
The news came as a personal shock, because Brian and I just saw Tupper at the Farmington city holiday party a few weeks ago. He looked as chipper as ever, cracking a little wise and making his annual pitch for the Goodfellows holiday drive, which he has piloted for many years. From that generous and worthy charitable organization to the Farmington Area Founders Festival, nothing in Farmington will be the same without Tupper.
But if anyone ever earned eternal rest…. well, he’d be at the top of the list.
Funeral arrangements will be posted soon at http://www.thayer-rock.com Our condolences to his wife and family.
–JH-G
Filed under Farmington Area Founders Festival, Farmington MI
As reported in the Farmington Observer, The Farmington DDA board has approved a new position for an events planner.
The pay is said to be in the $40,000 to $50,000 range and funded by money raised by operating events. They should get a fair amount of interest in today’s environment.
Information should be posted on the DDA and or City website soon.
D. Judge
Enterprise Staff
As recently reported in the Farmington Observer, this year’s Farmington Area Founder’s Festival wrapped up with its finances in the black. In a tough economic year, after a significant shift in management, the Festival still made about $10,000.
I had my doubts. The Festival seemed like an enormous undertaking for newly appointed director Krista Wolter, a staffer at the Farmington Downtown Development Authority office with Executive Director Annette Knowles – who no doubt ended up with plate more full as well. The FAFF board had gone through several directors, a chaotic process that battered its image and finances.
And here it is, back again, with support not only from Downtown Farmington businesses, but many in Farmington Hills as well. Krista exceeded her fund-raising goals and engaged a new cadre of volunteers, more than 70, who have been invited to an appreciation event held next week. Some, she tells me, were with the event from set-up to tear down.
The challenge now is to build on this success, to acknowledge this success and trust this success, and the person in charge. I think she’s earned it.
–JH-G
The Enterprise 