Festival Soup is the ultimate podcast for festival, fair, rodeo and event professionals! Hosted by Mike Baxter, a certified festival and event executive, this podcast is your go-to resource for expert advice, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes tips on creating unforgettable events. Each episode features interviews with industry leaders and professionals, covering a wide range of topics—from staging large festivals and booking talent to mascot creation, volunteer management, and the latest trends in event marketing and merchandising. Whether you're managing a local fair, a major festival, or anything in between, Vegetable Soup serves up the ingredients you need for success. Tune in and get ready to elevate your event to the next level!
Podcast Overview
Festival Soup is the ultimate podcast for festival, fair, rodeo and event professionals! Hosted by Mike Baxter, a certified festival and event executive, this podcast is your go-to resource for expert advice, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes tips on creating unforgettable events. Each episode features interviews with industry leaders and professionals, covering a wide range of topics—from staging large festivals and booking talent to mascot creation, volunteer management, and the latest trends in event marketing and merchandising. Whether you're managing a local fair, a major festival, or anything in between, Vegetable Soup serves up the ingredients you need for success. Tune in and get ready to elevate your event to the next level!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/30/2024
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Recent Episodes
November 20, 2024
Creating Connections: How Art Builds Thriving Events
Festival Soup host Mike Baxter sits down with Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director and CEO of The Woodlands Arts Council, to explore the power of art festivals in building thriving communities and fostering creativity.
November 13, 2024
Texas Tales and Traditions: Celebrating Storytelling
<p>In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Mary Margaret Campbell, founder of the Dobie Dichos storytelling event. Together, they dive into the unique storytelling culture of Texas festivals, celebrating folklore, the legacy of J. Frank Dobie, and how storytelling can be the heart of any event. Campbell shares her insights from running Dobie Dichos and the historic George West Story Fest, explaining how stories bridge generations, teach cultural values, and bring communities together.</p><p><strong>Key Points:</strong></p><p>[0:00] - The Importance of Storytelling in Festivals </p><p>Mary Margaret explains the Dobie Joes festival, a Texas event dedicated to honoring the famous folklorist J. Frank Dobie.</p><p><br></p><p>[3:15] - Origins and Legacy of J. Frank Dobie </p><p>Details about Dobie’s contributions to Texas folklore and the mission behind Dobie Joes in preserving his work.</p><p><br></p><p>[10:37] - Building Community through Storytelling </p><p>Campbell discusses George West Story Fest and how it began as a small gathering, growing into an event with thousands, showcasing storytelling, cowboy music, and a Texas Liar’s Contest.</p><p><br></p><p>[16:54] - Memorable Guests at Dobie Joes </p><p>From local historians to famous authors, Dobie Joes has hosted storytellers like Paulette Giles, author of News of the World, and Lonesome Dove screenwriter Bill Wittliff.</p><p><br></p><p>[24:42] - Incorporating Storytelling into Any Event </p><p>Mary Margaret shares tips on using storytelling to engage festival audiences of all ages, even in non-storytelling-themed events, such as holiday festivals.</p><p><br></p><p>[30:55] - Tips for Creating a Storytelling Festival </p><p>From themes to music, she outlines the steps to weave storytelling into festivals and create a welcoming environment for all.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Quotable Moments:</strong></p><p>[2:02] “If it weren’t for J. Frank Dobie, much of the folklore of Texas and the Southwest would have been lost.” — Mary Margaret Campbell </p><p><br></p><p>[5:26] “Stories help us see how other people think about life… and maybe understand ourselves better.” — Mary Margaret Campbell </p><p><br></p><p>[25:08] “You don’t want to just ‘dump’ storytelling into a festival; bring it in gradually and see where it resonates.” — Mary Margaret Campbell </p><p><br></p><p>Storytelling brings a festival to life, connects audiences, and preserves cultural history. Whether through a dedicated storytelling event like Dobie Joes or as an addition to any festival, these narratives spark engagement and community. Ready to add some storytelling magic to your event? Subscribe to Festival Soup and join us next week for more insights and expert advice.</p>
November 6, 2024
Hosting the Ultimate Parade – Tips and Insights on Building a Community Tradition
<p>In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter chats with Joe Vera, Assistant City Manager of McAllen, Texas, about the inspiring story and behind-the-scenes magic of the McAllen Holiday Parade. Celebrating over a decade of tradition, this parade has grown to become one of the largest in Texas, drawing in hundreds of thousands of attendees. They discuss the logistics, community impact, and the four pillars behind McAllen’s success in transforming a local event into a celebrated holiday destination.</p><p><strong>Key Points:</strong></p><p>- [0:30] - The Parade's Impact on Community </p><p> Joe shares how parades unite the community, especially children, through tradition and celebration.</p><p><br></p><p>- [2:12] - From Vision to Spectacular Reality </p><p> The McAllen Holiday Parade began as a simple vision from a 2013 city retreat, evolving into a nationally recognized event.</p><p><br></p><p>- [6:38] - Handling Unexpected Growth </p><p> The inaugural parade’s massive turnout of over 200,000 guests taught the team crucial lessons in event logistics.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>- [10:15] - Maximizing Parade Profits </p><p> Joe explains the strategic use of a local stadium to host spectators, sell tickets, and integrate sponsor visibility.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>- [15:48] - Adding Star Power </p><p> Celebrities like Dallas Cowboys players and popular TV stars attract spectators, blending entertainment for diverse demographics.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>- [20:04] - A Broadcast Extravaganza </p><p> The parade's TV broadcast reaches over 30 major U.S. markets, reinforcing McAllen’s brand and regional impact.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>- [24:33] - McAllen Parade’s Fourfold Mission </p><p> Joe explains the event’s guiding goals: enhancing quality of life, promoting safety, creating a tourism destination, and boosting economic impact.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Quotable Moments:</strong></p><p>[1:19] “A parade is all about celebration… the joy and wonder of bringing the community together.” – Joe Vera</p><p><br></p><p>[17:02] “We found the right mix with Dallas Cowboys’ players—suddenly the sea of blue lined the parade route.” – Joe Vera</p><p><br></p><p>[27:04] “This parade was our way of showcasing McAllen’s safe, vibrant, and welcoming environment.” – Joe Vera</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Links Mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li>McAllen Holiday Parade: <a href="http://McAllenHolidayParade.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://McAllenHolidayParade.com</a></li><li>Texas Festivals and Events Association: <a href="http://texasfea.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://texasfea.org</a></li><li><em>Festival Soup</em> Website: <a href="http://festival-soup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://festival-soup.com</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p>The McAllen Holiday Parade illustrates the power of festivals to foster community spirit and drive economic growth. Joe Vera’s insights reveal how thoughtful planning and strategic partnerships have transformed a city tradition into a major cultural draw. Subscribe to Festival Soup for more insights on crafting memorable festivals and join us next time as we explore more stories from the world of festivals and events.</p>
13 total episodes available
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- What is Festival Soup?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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