Dear Asheville,
After consulting with city and safety officials as well as meteorologists and seasoned event organizers, it has become clear that we must cancel tomorrow’s Big Love Festival.
We had planned to hold the event rain or shine, but have decided to cancel based on reports of potentially dangerous weather. In addition to the likely torrential rain and potential for flooding, there is the even greater danger of probable heavy winds, which are a serious safety concern for outdoor events with tents that may become airborne.
While we have few details now, we hope to reschedule for a day of independent and unchained celebration later this summer, and we can’t wait to see you then.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to the city, for being a great help and advisor throughout this process, and our deepest apologies to those who (like us) are disappointed by this outcome.
Regretfully and with love,
Justin, Franzi and Brandy
Due to some BIG LOVE from the LEAF Festival, we are delighted to bring The Megaphone Project to the Big Love Fest. These artists have produced an interactive sound field, and as an installation allows people to discover a game of sound and physical play: a world of private and public broadcast. Twenty-five striking red megaphones of different shapes and sizes recreate the miracle of wireless tincan telephones, and the joyful manipulations of voices that are naturally reinforced through simple acoustics. Voices then mysteriously and ambiguously return via our custom wireless audio network. The megaphones create an interactive performance field for both the public and the artists. In the field of megaphones, the audience creates a lively environment of play and enjoyment that is all their own invention.
Enjoy them outside the Asheville Arts Museum during our festival and you can also catch the megaphones at the Dr. Wesley Grant Center May 1st – 3rd and at the LEAF Festival May 9th – 12th.
Guess what Highland Brewing has up their sleeves for the Big Love Fest?
“We’re still working on the description, but it is a session beer, a copper colored ale at just over 5% alcohol. Perfect for the warm, sunny May day that we are hoping for” per Drew Stevenson, communication manager and head of community outreach at Highland.
They made an initial trial batch for our Go Local Card partners’ party on February 28th & are now perfecting the balance and taste.
Carol Motsinger of the Asheville Citizen Times did a great write-up on our visit to watch them making the new brew HERE.
Are you ready for the 3rd annual celebration of unchained and independent Asheville?
Mark your calendars! It is happening
Sunday, May 5th
noon – 8pm
Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville
The application process has closed. All applicants including locally owned and independent businesses including makers, crafters, artisans, culinary businesses & non-profits will be notified of their acceptance status by March 22nd .
We are looking forward to you helping to make this the Best Big Love Fest yet!
Asheville Grown Business Alliance and The Big Crafty are putting on another celebration of unchained and independent Asheville. We like to think of Big Love Fest as a ritual affirmation of the value of community in commerce and a festive annual showcase of the amazing things Ashevillians are up to.
And this year we have even more to celebrate! In recognition of the natural connection between the local economy, our vibrant community and our schools, we’re partnering with the Asheville City Schools Foundation through the Go Local Card program. Look for the Love Asheville – Go Local Card offers throughout the festival!
In addition, we are pleased to announce our musical guests Kovacs and the Polar Bear, Floating Action, Pleasure Chest and the Decent Lovers. This year Asheville FM, our fair city’s newest, non-profit, community radio station is joining hands with the Big Love Festival. They will be hosting a stage jam-packed with local musicians and DJs ushering in summer with the piping hot sounds of sonic wow!
Big Love Fest is sponsored and made possible by over 150 local and independent businesses, crafters, artists, entertainers, restaurants, breweries, non-profits and is free to attend. Our mission is to highlight independently owned businesses in the community and to celebrate their vital economic, social and cultural role in our vibrant local economy. Our vendors have been selected & we will post them here soon.
See you there!
Big Love Fest
Pack Square Park
Sunday May 6, 2012
1pm – 8pm
You heard right, last year’s inaugural event was such a huge success we’re crazy enough to do it all over again!
Big Love Fest 2012
Pack Square Park
Sunday May 6, 2012
1pm – 8pm
We’re accepting vendor applications now, just click HERE to apply.
We are specifically seeking local talent and entrepreneurs who meet & strive to exceed the following specifications:
Makers - Artists and crafters who source their goods locally will be given priority. In addition to quality work, we look for outstanding and creative booth presence.
Food Vendors - Preference will be given to food vendors who source a portion of their food locally or regionally. If you need or already have a health department permit, please apply as a “Food Vendor”, if not, please apply as a “Maker.” To determine if you will need a permit from the health department, please contact Pam Cassanego at 828.250.5229. There are limited number of spaces for food vendors and we expect to have a designated area for food trucks as well.
Business Vendors - We are seeking independent businesses who specialize in locally sourced or manufactured products. We welcome businesses who supply services or engage the public in an activity as well. Preference will be given to applicants who conduct their businesses in Asheville or Buncombe County.
We will not be considering vendors from outside of the Western North Carolina area.
If you are a non-profit that helps incubate local independent businesses, we have a few spaces set aside for this purpose. Please e-mail us if you are interested in representing your organization at the festival.
Preference will also be given to vendors who have had previous experience with outdoor festivals in our area.
MOUNTAIN XPRESS STAGE
1:00 – 1:30 Ruph
1:50 – 2:25 Rubber Cushions
2:45 – 3:45 Kovacs and the Polar Bear
4:05 – 4:55 Joshua Carpenter
5:15 – 6:25 Mad Tea Pary
6:45 – 8:00 Floating Action
Dr. Filth at intervals throughout the day.
WCQS PERFORMANCE AREA
1:00 – 1:30 Double Take
1:45 – 2:00 Steph Flynn Crooks
2:30 – 3:30 Sky Lake
3:45 – 4:45 Tiny Mountains
5:00 – 5:20 Just Economics
5:45 – 6:45 Red June
