SUNFEST SHINES AS EVENT GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY
Nonprofit is gearing up for springtime event with focus on community throughout the year
(WEST PALM BEACH) — After a two-year hiatus, SunFest organizers are finalizing plans to bring back the festival from April 29 through May 1, 2022 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. As the 38th SunFest comes together, organizers say that while the event has undergone changes and additions throughout the years, its focus on community remains consistent – more important this year than ever.
“While SunFest started as a way to bring tourists to the downtown waterfront during South Florida’s shoulder season,” said Paul Jamieson, SunFest executive director, “our focus as a nonprofit has always been on building community. As longtime residents and community members, our board and staff are really proud to be able to offer our neighbors the opportunity to be involved with SunFest 2022 and to give back to our community throughout the year.”
Founded in 1982, SunFest is Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival. The event is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 23-member board of directors; 25 committees; more than 2,800 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 4; and approximately 80 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
With origins as the 10-day Royal Palm Festival, SunFest has morphed from a jazz, art and water festival to a more concentrated four-day celebration of music, art and friendship. That said, SunFest 365 serves the community year-round. The mission of SunFest 365 is to reach out to the community with projects that promote or enhance culture and the arts, youth education, assistance for other nonprofit organizations and the environment. Whether providing college scholarship money to a musically gifted teen, or an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to use their volunteer time at SunFest as a fundraiser for their group, SunFest is ready to give back.
“As a nonprofit,” continued Jamieson, “SunFest’s financial goal is to break even each year. If any proceeds are realized, the money goes toward improvements for the following year’s festival, replenishment of any depleted rain funds and community outreach programs.”
Many of the SunFest 365 programs are made possible through grants from the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture. One of its most popular with area nonprofits is the “Helping Neighbors” program. Each year, SunFest contributes complimentary tickets to area charities for distribution to individuals who otherwise might not be able to attend the festival. Since the inception of the Helping Neighbors program, SunFest has given away thousands of tickets to underserved populations. The program is underwritten by Florida Power and Light Company and applications are currently available at SunFest.com/sunfest-365. Deadline to apply for the limited number of tickets is March 11, 2022.
In addition, SunFest is calling for volunteers to join the team of more than 2,000 who make the event happen not only on April 28-May 1, but also at events and activities throughout the year. Volunteers receive such benefits as free admission and free parking on their volunteer date; free food and drink before or after their event shift, and an official Team SunFest t-shirt. Volunteers working Thursday or Friday also enjoy one complimentary day at SunFest any day after the day of their shift.
“Team SunFest is the heart of our event,” said Jamieson. “At a recent Clematis by Night Countdown to SunFest we honored our volunteers and asked them to come in a t-shirt from a past event. It was great to see their enthusiasm and how many years they have been part of our family. We hope we’ll connect with both new and old team members as we head into 2022. We couldn’t do the event without them.”
To learn more about SunFest 2022, volunteer opportunities and application guidelines for the Helping Neighbors program, visit www.SunFest.com or call 561-659-5980.