The winners of the 2009 ALFiE Awards, sponsored by the Arkansas Festivals & Events Association, were announced at the Association’s 26^th Annual Conference held at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce on February 1. 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 – Little Rock’s Sculpture at the River Market Show & Sale.    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 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration featuring the Union County Rock-Paper-Scissors Championship, El Dorado: Star Daze, Star City; Lum & Abner Festival, Mena; Arkansas Literary Festival, Little Rock; and Smoke on the Water, Pine Bluff.

Outstanding New Idea – MusicFest El Dorado new street-pole banners.  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 MusicFest, El Dorado; Smackover Oil Town Festival, Smackover; Toad Suck Daze, Conway; Wing Ding Festival, Jacksonville; and Winter Wonderland, Bentonville.

Volunteer of the Year – Diane Atchison of BPW Barn Sale, Camden.  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 Teresa Golliher, MusicFest (El Dorado), Scott Treloar, Jump, Jive, & JamFest! (Texarkana), Hallie Simmins, Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous (Little Rock), and Dr. Philip Less, Arkansas Literary Festival (Little Rock).

Festival of the Year is – MusicFest, 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.  Previous winners were Toad Suck Daze, Conway; MusicFest, El Dorado; Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren; Smoke on the Water, Pine Bluff; and BPW Barn Sale, Camden.

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

            Color Brochure –

                        Gold – Toad Suck Daze, Conway

                        Silver – Frisco Festival, Rogers

                        Bronze – Camden Daffodil Festival, Camden

            Newspaper/Tabloid –

                        Gold – Camden Daffodil Festival, Camden

Silver – White River Water Carnival, Batesville

                        Bronze – MusicFest, El Dorado

            Souvenir –

                        Gold – Toad Suck Daze, Conway (Toad Tags)

                        Silver – MusicFest, El Dorado (Poker Chips)

                        Bronze – Alma Spinach Festival, Alma (Stick Candy)

            T-Shirt/Sweatshirt –

                        Gold – MusicFest, El Dorado

                        Silver – Toad Suck Daze, Conway

                        Bronze – Alma Spinach Festival, Alma

            Poster –

                        Gold – MusicFest, El Dorado

                        Silver – Frisco Festival, Rogers

                        Bronze –Patriotic Spectacular, Jacksonville

Event Photo –

                        Gold – Patriotic Spectacular, Jacksonville

                        Silver – MusicFest, El Dorado

                        Bronze – Alma Spinach Festival, Alma

            Event Website –

                        Gold – Toad Suck Daze, Conway

                        Silver – MusicFest, El Dorado

                        Bronze – Alma Spinach Festival, Alma

For further information on the ALFiE Awards or the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association, call (501) 350-2378 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it