The 19th annual Standin’ on the Corner Festival will take place this weekend, bringing with it a celebration of music, food and fun to commemorate the song that put Winslow on the map.
This festival, and all that it does for the City of Winslow, would not be possible without the efforts of the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation.
In 1994, residents Marie LaMar and Janice Griffith turned their attention to creating an attraction in Winslow. According to foundation member Sabrina Butler, the ladies thought, “Why not capitalize on the Eagles’ song Take it Easy?” It was then that the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation was formed. LaMar, Griffith and 10 other Winslow enthusiasts began meeting and planning a park to be located at Second Street and Kinsley Avenue.
The park was built, as Butler says, “brick by brick with donations made by local businesses, individuals and the priceless hours of many volunteers and investments made by the City of Winslow.”
When the park opened in 1999, the foundation held a celebration, blocking off the 200 block of Kinsley Avenue to host vendors and thank Winslow residents for their support. That celebration is considered the first Standin’ On The Corner Festival.
The Standin’ On The Corner Foundation does a great deal for the community throughout the year. It is a 501C3 charity, which allows for federal tax exemption and non-profit status. Its main goal, according to Butler, “is to bring the community together and show the world what our little town has to offer.”
The foundation is 16 members strong and all volunteer operated. It is responsible for not only the logistics of the festival, but the fundraising and promotion that goes along with it. “Some people think we just plan this party and that’s it,” Butler said, “but it’s really a year round commitment of time and effort.”
Along with the September event, the foundation also holds game nights at local venues, bake sales, raffles and a Cinco De Mayo celebration focused on raising money for the festival, as well as other community endeavors.
“We also award a scholarship every year,” Butler added. “It is a competitive application where the student has to write an essay on how living in Winslow has positively impacted their life and they have to be active in the community, with volunteer hours.”
The scholarship is awarded to one high school senior each year in the amount of $500 to a higher education institution of their choice. “In the beginning, we relied a lot on local businesses for donations and sponsorships. But once the recession hit, in 2008, those businesses weren’t able to donate anymore and they have said no ever since,” Butler said, explaining that the festival and other projects are largely supported by individual donations and fundraising.
The foundation is in the process of having the mural at the Standin’ On The Corner Park restored. There is a locked donation box on the corner that tourists and residents contribute to every day. “The mural is important, and it needs to be fixed,” Butler said. Without the foundation, that restoration might not be possible.
The longest serving board member is Dr. Greg Hackler, who was among those initiating the foundation. Other members are John Dalton, president; Bubba McKinney, first vice president; Denise Clarke, secretary; Stephanie Lugo, treasurer; and Courtney Barton, Danny Bailon, Yolanda Bailon, Melissa Nelson, Sabrina Butler, Tommy Butler, Travis Clarke, Jen Culpepper, Tom McCauley and Edward Montoya.
The Standin’ On The Corner Festival is an important event for the city, as Butler explained, “The City of Winslow benefits greatly from the festival. Motels are booked, restaurants and other businesses experience increased revenues over the course of the event and in turn tax dollars are raised, which are to be used in the efforts of the renaissance of our community.”
The Standin’ On The Corner Festival will take place Sept. 29 and 30 at the Eagle Pavilion at 523 W. Second Street. Admission is $5 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted free. The festival features music across all genres, vendors of arts, crafts, food and more, a beer garden and a kids’ zone.
