APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Plans for the 2019 Mile of Music in Appleton are being released, starting with the naming of the presenting sponsor, Fox Communities Credit Union.
The Mile of Music, which will announce details of the Festival next week at OuterEdge Stage as part
of its annual Countdown to Mile Week/First Fifty lineup reveal and noontime concert event, is in the middle of finalizing sponsors and artists for the four-day celebration of original music thissummer.
The Mile of Music is set for August 1st through the 4th.
Dave Willems, president of Willems Marketing & Events and executive producer of Mile of Music, said the agreement with Fox Communities Credit Union not only helps secure the free festival’s future but also helps boost The Mile’s continuing efforts to build Downtown Appleton’s reputation as a leading destination for live original music.
“Like an old friend, they were with us from the very start.”
He said the decision by Fox Communities to greatly expand its commitment and move into the Presenting Sponsor role is significant for a community-modeled, grass roots festival that continues to defy the odds by offering free access to eager attendees since it started in 2013.
“This is an important step in continuing the vision of having a remarkable music and community event that is truly accessible to the entire community,” said Willems. “Fox Communities Credit Union’s willingness to step up and dramatically increase its financial support by stepping into the lead sponsorship position.”
The overall commitment from Fox includes the opportunity to continue its lead sponsorship role for subsequent festivals, Willems noted, but is also significant in that it puts a big, bright bow on what’s already been a strong collaboration.
“For someone like Fox to jump in as a sponsor as well as a collaborator it is significant for us.”
Willems says the collaboration includes the Bike to the Beat which started back in 2016. The event includes a community bike ride with live music in the background.
3,500-plus bike riders of all ages are expected to participate, adding to the overall vibe of Mile Weekend.
Cathy Harvath, vice president of marketing for Fox Communities Credit Union, said the opportunity to further Fox’s connection to such a difference-making event for the Appleton community was one the organization couldn’t pass up.
“Mile of Music continues to be a shining example of how our communities within the Greater Appleton and Fox Cities community work so productively together,” she said. “We’re excited to expand our commitment to such a magical, organic blending of the artist and business communities along with the non-profit andmunicipal sectors, all of whom knock it out of the park each August to make something very special happen.”
The Festival was launched as a community model through Willems Marketing in 2013 with a focus on pooling resources from community advocates to create a special vibe that helps to ensure a strong downtown business and entertainment district into the future. That community model, Willems said, now needs to evolve into a stronger business model to ensure the long-term viability.
“They were very much on board with the vision and they said, hey we will help you out, I will never forget that.”
Part of Fox’s overall commitment to Mile of Music includes business advisory consultation from its executive team plus an evolving connection to its non-profit arm, the Fox Cares Foundation, which focuses on the arts, hunger and homelessness.
Willems lauded the Festival’s previous presenting partner, Tundraland Home Improvements, for its impact on The Mile since Mile 3, while noting that Tundraland will continue as one of the Festival’s significant sponsors.
“There wouldn’t be a Mile 7, at least not as we know it, if it wasn’t for Brian Gottlieb and his team at Tundraland,” Willems said. “Their critical lead sponsorship support these last four years has been pivotal to our ability to continue this very unique community model each of the last four years while truly setting the tone for the future.”
