ATLANTA, Ga. — The Southeast Tourism Society has named Columbus” Market Street Festival as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for May 2011. This is the 12th consecutive year the festival has received the prestigious honor.
Plans are underway for the 16th Annual Market Street Festival which will take place in Historic Downtown Columbus May 6-7, 2011.
The festival began in 1996 and includes a variety of activities for the whole family and features more than 200 arts and crafts vendors, 21 local food vendors, six music stages, more than 20 local musical acts throughout the day on Saturday, an antique car show, a hands-on children”s area, as well as entertainment acts, games, inflatables, train rides for children and much more.
As part of the festival, a 5K run is held at the Columbus Riverwalk on Saturday morning. Market Street After Dark, a ticketed concert featuring nationally-known musical acts, kicks off Market Street Festival on Friday evening. Market Street After Dark continues with a free concert after the festival on Saturday. The headliner bands and other exciting details and changes for Market Street Festival 2011 will be announced soon. All vendor applications will be sent out this month, applications may be obtained at the Market Street Festival headquarters at 107 Fifth Street North, or at www.marketstreetfestival.com soon.
Arts, crafts and food vendors travel from across the street and from across the country to participate in the event each year.
“Market Street Festival contributes its successes to the support and participation of area and community organizations, local government, businesses, artists, musicians, residents, sponsors, and over 400 volunteers,” stated Amber Brislin, Main Street Columbus director. “Without this combination, Market Street Festival would not be possible.”
Neville Bhada, director of communications and public relations for the Southeast Tourism Society, said, “The STS Top 20 Events list is an excellent guide for travelers in the Southeast. Events chosen represent the best activities the region offers. Being chosen is a great accolade that can draw extra attention to a festival or special event.”
The Top 20 Events program began in 1985. Based in Atlanta, STS is a non-profit organization promoting tourism in 12 Southeastern states. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes the list throughout the region and beyond. The complete list is published monthly on two websites: southeasttourism.org and escapetothesoutheast.com.
Market Street Festival is organized by Main Street Columbus and volunteer committees. For more information on how to become a part of the 2011 festival, as either a vendor, volunteer or a sponsor, contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305. Or visit www.columbusmainstreet.com or www.marketstreetfestival.com.
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