Top 10: Why Uncle Dave Macon days is a hit on The Murfreesboro Post

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Top 10: Why Uncle Dave Macon days is a hit

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By: GLORIA CHRISTY, Special to the Post

Posted: Sunday, June 7, 2009 7:41 am

Top 10: Why Uncle Dave Macon days is a hit | Top 10, Event, Uncle Dave Macon, Gloria Christy

CULTURAL IDENTITY: The 32-year-old summertime festival is a deeply engrained part of local history and culture.

NATIONAL ATTENTION: Uncle Dave Macon Days creates widespread recognition for this community. Named a top 20 event in the Southeast (Southeast Tourism Society), and a top 100 event in North America (American Bus Association) it brings in significant tourism dollars.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: The event attracts more than 40,000 people with an estimated economic impact of $2 million (Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce). Additionally, many civic and service organizations rely on the festival as a major annual fundraiser.

NONPROFIT, VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION: Uncle Dave Macon Days, Inc. is a 501(c) (3), nonprofit corporation. (Donations are tax deductible) It is a gift to the community and NOT operated for the benefit of any private individuals. Many are surprised to learn that we manage without full-time, paid staff. The entire event is produced by dedicated volunteers, many involved for 20 years or longer. Additionally, a very special feature of the weekend is the Community Service Fair, which educates the public about the work many of our area’s nonprofit organizations.

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE: The festival has NEVER operated with a budget deficit. Operating funds are carefully managed so that the money spent for each participant averages little more than the cost of a single fast-food soft drink.

EDUCATION: The privately funded Macon-Doubler Fellowship provides scholarships for the study of traditional music and arts. The festival offers free workshops and children’s learning activities. Plus, it cooperates with the Murfreesboro Heritage Center on projects to preserve area folk culture.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: In 1986, the United States House of Representatives named the event as the home of three National Championships: Old Time Buckdancing, Old Time Clogging and Old Time Banjo. The action was recorded in the Congressional Record.

LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT: The festival annually presents two prestigious awards -- The Heritage Award and The Trail Blazer Award – honoring lifetime achievement in traditional music and dance.

FREE ADMISSION: Since its humble beginnings, as an afternoon banjo picking on the courthouse lawn, admission to the festival has always been FREE.

THE EVENT: Two days of music contests, Sunday gospel sing, Saturday morning ‘motorless’
parade, shaped note-singing, arts, crafts, food, shade-tree jams and more non-stop fun.
PLEASE NOTE: Checks should be made out to Uncle Dave Macon Days. Our mailing address is PO Box 5016, Murfreesboro, TN 37133-5016. To gift by bank card please contact Gloria Christy at 615 893-2371.

Tagged under Event, Gloria Christy, Top 10, Uncle Dave Macon

Member Opinions:

By: Flo on 6/7/09
JULY 10-12, 2009 are the dates of the upcoming festival! And you can find out more info at their website at uncledavemacondays.com

It's one of the most wonderful events that I have ever gone to! Rain or shine it's an incredible time that is one of the best things we have to offer here in Murfreesboro!

See you there!