Midfest

Article in the Journal...

MiddFest has economic, image impact

MIDDLETOWN —
Middletown is in the midst of recreating its identity downtown as an arts and educational hub, and MiddFest is a big part of the city’s identity and its economy, officials said.

It’s projected that the annual international festival, which has celebrated a different country every year for more than three decades, is responsible for at least a $3.5 million economic impact, according to City Councilwoman Ann Mort, who’s involved in many events and activities around the city. She calls that estimate “conservative.”

MiddFest has a direct economic impact through the 100,000 visitors it attracts to the city. Middletown Economic Development Director Denise Hamet said it also has an image impact

ARE THESE NUMBERS CORRECT? DOES THIS EVENT REALLY GENERATE 3.5 MILLION BUCKS TO THE CITY AND DRAW 100,000 PEOPLE? ANYONE GO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS? IS THIS EVENT THIS CROWDED? WHERE ARE THE 3.5 MILLION MONEY SOURCES GENERATED IN THE THREE DAYS?

Only in Middletown do a small group of supporters win out over the city budget and any sense of priorities. The dead horse of Middfest has been beaten for years and should have stopped long ago. Most communities know when to pull the plug on something while here we can't ever let go of anything.

I go to all the festivals except Middletown. None of the other festivals charge admission or go to such great lengths and expense to contain the area. Franklin's fall festival was last weekend. They actually had a fire pit  on the street with hay bales for seating. That was much appreciated b/c it was cold. Why can't Middletown just have a festival w/o all the expense of bringing ppl from some country most people could care less about.

good ideas Tim.  While Mrs. Ritan['s goal of bringing culture to this steel town is admirable, I don't think it has worked and has become a bit of a joke.  A smattering of people showing up and paying too much $ to do so. 

They should rename it "OKI Fest" and feature different aspects of Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana history/culture.  Possible topics which can be rotated every few years:  Appalachia, Ohio River, farming, bourbon, etc.