ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WWJ) -- This year's edition of Arts, Beats & Eats was among the most successful in the 24-year history of the event, as officials announced record-breaking donations for local charities.
Organizers on Thursday announced the 2021 festival raised $389,133.35 for local organizations -- the largest amount in the event's 24-year history. That brings the total amount of charitable donations to well over $6 million since the event's inception in 1998.
About 375,000 people attended the festival over Labor Day weekend, marking the event's fourth-highest attendance since it began.
Jon Witz, festival producer, says the community turned out in full support of this year's event, which featured big-name musical acts like Stone Temple Pilots, Justin Moore, Bobby Brown and more, as well as a wide array of food vendors and artists.
"We delivered the most notable musical performers in the festival's history, while serving up incredible food, top artists from across the country and lots of family fun. Mother Nature worked with us to serve up some absolutely amazing weather, as well. All of these factors contributed to a great turnout and record results," said Jon Witz, festival producer.
He says the event's "incredible success" helped the event generate "higher than anticipated funds for an array of community and charitable organizations."
"After the year we all experienced in 2020, the event was not only crucial to musicians, artisans, area businesses and charitable organizations alike, but it also lifted spirits as festival guests enjoyed culture and good times with friends and family in a safe outdoor setting," Witz said.
Funds were generated through a number of sources, including gate admission fees, beverage proceeds, festival-sponsored community initiatives and more. The donations were handed out Thursday at Flagstar Bank corporate headquarters in Troy.
A pre-festival food drive yielded 3,000 lbs. of food and about 2,500 meals for families in need.
Proceeds from the festival were divided among many entities, including:
Gate proceeds of $82,500 were awarded to 12 participating organizations:
-- COTS
-- Dutton Farms
-- Forgotten Harvest
-- HAVEN
-- Lighthouse of Oakland County
-- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
-- Soldier's Angels
-- Stagecrafters
-- The Children's Center
-- The Rainbow Connection
-- The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center
-- Volunteers of America
Proceeds from Beverage sales of $110,482.89 went to 13 participating charitable and cultural groups:
-- Almost Home
-- Build On
-- Ferndale High School Marching Band
-- Interact of Royal Oak High School
-- Life Center
-- Michigan Pet Fund
-- Milford Huron Valley Lions Club
-- Royal Oak Dance Team
-- Royal Oak Titans Football Team, Inc.
-- St. Paul Lutheran Church
-- Starlites Parent Club
-- Take One
-- Team Happy Feet
The City of Royal Oak paid $91,372.47 in donations to the city's Parks department that supported parking operations, with another $13,642 being donated by the festival to First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, St. Mary Catholic Church for parking lots.
Cultural entertainment organizations received $11,970. Recipients in this category included:
-- Arts & Scraps
-- Michigan Science Center
-- Royal Oak Children's Choir
-- Sphinx Organization
The returning Priority Health Zumbathon Celebration generated $10,865.99 for HAVEN.
More than a dozen charitable organizations also received donations from the festival totaling $57,800. These included:
-- Autism Alliance of Michigan
-- Children's Miracle Network
-- Common Ground
-- Detroit Music Awards
-- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
-- Easter Seals Miracle League
-- Ferncare
-- Judson Center
-- Lucky Fin Project
-- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
-- Mothering Justice
-- Open Hands Food Pantry
-- Royal Oak Animal Shelter
-- Royal Oak Civic Fund
-- Royal Oak Police Donation Fund
-- Royal Oak PTA
-- Royal Oak Schools Performing Arts Committee
Of the total raised, charities in Royal Oak, plus money raised for Royal Oak Parks, means the Royal Oak Community received a total of $192,411.04 from the festival this year.
