Hendersonville Prepares for Exciting 2009 HolidayFest!
Hendersonville, TN. (September 21, 2009): Hendersonville, declared by Mayor Scott Foster to be the sister city to Whoville in 2007, is gearing up for the third annual “whimsical” Christmas season in 2009. The HolidayFest steering committee was formed in early July and included Lynda Evjen of Evjen and Associates, Janna von Kessl of the UPS store on Main , Jan Ellis of Ellis Group, , Brenda Payne of Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, Jules Wortman Pomeroy of Wortman Works, Lori Johnson of Volunteer State University, Van Hohe of Van Alan Productions, Steve Luther of Keller Williams and Beth Pickle of Hendersonville Womens Club.
This year’s HolidayFest steering committee announced some new dynamic events as well as the continuation of last year’s festivities including nominations for King and Queen of HolidayFest. Different charities and local service organizations will be hosting the events this year. The Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Trolleys and Truffles on November 7th and the Indian Lake Loop will still be on Thanksgiving Day and will benefit Jason Foundation and COMPAS. Women’s Club of Hendersonville will host the 37th Annual Bake Sale, The Hendersonville Optimist club will host the 3rd Annual “Cindy Lou Who” Essay Contest in local schools and the winner will be announced by the Mayor at the Hendersonville Tree Lighting Ceremony. Christmas Tree Elegance will be presented by the Optimist Club and trees will be on display at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club.
“We are excited to present The American Idol Christmas concert this year” said Lori Johnson, Development Director for Volunteer State College. “This is our first year to be a part of HolidayFest and we are looking forward to it.”
Mrs. Santa with Connie Maynord at BizNet Expo getting ready for HolidayFest.com.
“Twas the Night before Christmas” Breakfast with Santa will have two seatings on Saturday morning, December 5th at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club and will be benefitting the Literacy Council of Sumner County.
About HolidayFest
Saturday evening December 5th, the 3rd Annual St. Nicholas Charity Ball will benefit the combined community outreach of the Leadership Sumner Youth Program, AID For the World, and the No Child Left Without committee presented by Van Alan Productions. “This formal affair will raise funds to rehab homes of impoverished Sumner County students, provide school clothes for those in need, and open a Sumner County hub for AID For the World at the Union High Resource Center a.k.a. Shalom Zone which will benefit countless students of Sumner County Schools” said Van Hohe.
Experience the charm of the City by the Lake during HolidayFest, one of the nation's newest community-based holiday celebrations. HolidayFest is an annual festival that brings together the entire community – its people, businesses, government, the arts, and service organizations - to celebrate the spirit of the season and to benefit local charities. Officially launched in 2007, HolidayFest builds on 25 years of the Hendersonville Christmas Parade in establishing this new tradition. Most of the events are held the first weekend of December, and Hendersonville plays host to thousands of visitors at this year's festival. Visitors enjoy an abundance of entertainment, shops, restaurants, light displays, and holiday cheer.
HolidayFest 2009 will end on Sunday December 6th with the 27th Annual Hendersonville Christmas Parade themed “Christmas Carnivale” presented by Keller Williams Realty. Applications for the parade may be picked up at Keller Williams Realty at 100 Bluegrass Commons Ste.2100 or call 615-822-8585.
Community, Literacy, Charity and Tradition, the motto of HolidayFest make the events something that the entire family will enjoy while helping those in need during the holiday season. For information on any of the events, to volunteer or to become a sponsor, contact Evjen and Associates at 615-517-5714 or one of the organizations participating this year as listed above.
HolidayFest 2009 Crowns King and Queen
Hendersonville – October 16, 2009 – The Hendersonville Optimist Club crowned the King and Queen of HolidayFest at last night’s Chamber of Commerce Business After Dark event at Sumner Bank and Trust. King, Len Silverman and Queen, Jo Kennedy will be the Community Ambassadors for HolidayFest and were nominated by various non-profit organizations for their outstanding volunteerism and their ability to consistently go beyond the call of duty.
Len Silverman is the owner of Huntington Learning Center and Jo Kennedy is the retired Executive Director of Community Child Care. Both were nominated by United Way and other non-profits for their outstanding support and volunteerism. The Hendersonville Optimist Club will donate $100 to their favorite charity and they have been given gift certificates to Leyla’s Hair Studio, the official Hair Salon for HolidayFest, for some royal beauty treatment.
2009 King and Queen
Dana Givens, Executive Director of United Way says “Len Silverman is a true model of servant-leadership and what I see in Len Silverman is best expressed in the words of John L. Grove, founder of Grove Worldwide and JLG Industries, “Carry forward your responsibility to society in order to leave this world better than you found it . . . Don’t allow your head to grow larger than your heart. . . and don’t ask more of others than you would of yourself.”
Jo Kennedy, Queen of HolidayFest is involved in her church as their Prison Ministry as well as being an outstanding volunteer for United Way. She was the Executive Director of Community Child Care for 18 years and has been tireless in helping children and raising money for non-profits “Jo Kennedy is one of those people that no matter what is asked, she will find a way to do it” said Lynda Evjen of Hendersonville Optimist Club.”She has even become an international Relief worker and this January will lead a mission to the Dominican Republic.
Duties of the King and Queen will include acting as the Ambassadors of HolidayFest by attending all HolidayFest Events which include The Gentlemen’s Committee Event on November 4th, American Idol Christmas Concert on Nov. 24th, the Gingerbread House Competition, the Tree Lighting ceremony on December 4th. On December 5th, they will welcome the children to “Twas the Night Before Christmas Breakfast with Santa” and that evening they will be honored at the 3rd Annual St. Nicholas Ball. On December 6th they will be honored at the 27th Annual Hendersonville Christmas Parade, “Christmas Carnevale”.
About HolidayFest
Christmas Idol Concert and Competition Planned for Holidayfest
HolidayFest is an annual festival that brings together the entire community – its people, businesses, government, the arts, and service organizations - to celebrate the spirit of the season and to benefit local charities. Officially launched in 2007 by community volunteers Lynda Evjen, Steve Luther and Janna von Kessel, HolidayFest builds on 26 years of the Hendersonville Christmas Parade in establishing this new tradition. The Mayor of Hendersonville declares HolidayFest2009 from November 1st to December 6th and these many visitors will enjoy an abundance of entertainment, shops, restaurants, light displays, and holiday cheer during the entire HOLIDAYFEST season!
Community ----Creativity ---- Literacy----Charity-----Tradition
November 6, 2009 –Hendersonville – Begin the joyous season with a Christmas Idol Concert and Competition just before Thanksgiving! Get ready to be the next undiscovered star and enjoy the concert of recent American Idol star, Phil Stacey. The Concert and competition are planned as part of the festivities going on in the county for HolidayFest which includes many various activities beginning November 1st and end with the 27th Annual Christmas Parade on December 6th. Judges for this Competition include the King and Queen of HolidayFest and a surprise guest from the Vol State College Music Department. This panel will judge the competition at the end of the concert.
Volunteer State College will host the Christmas Idol Concert and Competition on Tuesday, November 24th and will showcase American Idol celebrity Phil Stacey at the Wemyss Auditorium at Caudill Hall. The competition will begin at the end of the concert and the winners will be introduced at the St. Nicholas Ball on December 5th at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club.
Competition will be limited to 10 entries and if you are interested in performing you must contact Lori Johnson at Vol State College atlori.johnson@volstate.eduor go to www.hendersonvilleholidayfest.com for more information. Tickets will be $20.00 for the family event and will benefit the Volunteer State College Foundation scholarship program.
In 2007, Phil came to national attention when he performed for an average 30 million viewers for eleven weeks during his competition on the sixth season of American Idol. His renditions of the country hits "Where The Blacktop Ends," "The Change" and "I Need You" were among his most praised performances of the season. Following his time on American Idol, Phil toured with his fellow contestants over the summer on a capacity crowd 55-city tour. After that, he moved to Nashville with wife Kendra and their two daughters to pursue his country music career.
Phil's debut CD included his first single, "If You Didn't Love Me," which was just released to country radio this April. The song was written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox.
“It is exciting to have Vol State presenting the concert and this Competition for HolidayFest this year” said Lynda Evjen, one of the founding members of HolidayFest, “we feel that by having a family concert that rings in the season is a wonderful way to raise funds for the Vol State Foundation scholarship fund and gets us ready for all the festivities during HolidayFest 2009.
Candylicious Hosts Wonka Gold Contest for HolidayFest
Hendersonville – October 20, 2009. You remember the timeless story of the world famous candy man, Willie Wonka and his magical and mysterious chocolate factory. Right here in Hendersonville, we have Candylicious, a magical and exciting store that is meant to create memories for us all and satisfy our sweet tooth. From handmade chocolates to every delight you can imagine, they have it. During Hendersonville’s HolidayFest season, they are announcing some exciting news. This November 1st they will begin the First Annual “Wonka Gold Contest” which will end on December 18th with an Award Ceremony at the store. “Three Winners who find, not the gold ticket in the candy bar, but rather the candy bar with the winning code for GOLD which is on the packaging, will be the winners” said owners Brenda and Roger Sevigny.
“Candylicious will begin selling the Wonka Bars for the Gold Contest on November 1st and you may purchase candy bars right up until Dec. 12th said Len Silverman, King of HolidayFest “then you bring your candy wrapper into Candylicious during the week of Dec. 13th to Dec. 17th and check to see if you have the code for GOLD.” Three people will have the winning code on their wrapper. Awards will be given out during a ceremony in Candylicious on Friday December 18th.
About Candylicious
“Whoa….What a store….I haven’t seen this candy since I was a kid….. This looks like Heaven….” are comments heard every day at the fun candy store for kids of all ages. Candylicious was established in 2009 by Brenda and Roger Sevigny to bring a smile to your face with delicious sweets from today or a nostalgic taste from years past. Chocolates, Truffles, Fudge, Smoky Mountain Taffy, Bulk Candy, and even Ice Cream are available in the enchanted shop. Stop by Canylicous, located in Streets of Indian Lake, for a special treat and leave with a fun new memory.
The Wonka Gold Contest is open to children of all ages and all that is required is the purchase of a Wonka Bar from Candylicious, located at Streets of Indian Lake at 300 Indian Lake Blvd. Suite #220 before December 12th. If you have questions about the Contest or want to learn more about the store call (615)590-7596. The Three Winners will receive a Gold medal award, a very special Wonka Gift basket filled with amazing surprises, and will have their picture in the local news paper as the “Wonka GOLD Winners”.
Gobstopper Day at Candylicious for Wonka Gold Contest!
Hendersonville – November 19, 2009. Candylicious, a magical and exciting store that is meant to create memories and satisfy our sweet tooth, has declared November 25th as Gobstopper Day for Holidayfest. “Buy two Wonka Bars and get a box of Gobstoppers free!” said Roger Seivgny. “ On November 1st Candylicious began the First Annual “Wonka Gold Contest” which will end on December 18th with an Award Ceremony at the store. Three Winners who find, not the gold ticket in the candy bar, but rather the candy bar with the winning code for GOLD on the packaging, will be the winners.”
The original, EVERLASTING GOBSTOPPER is a yummy jawbreaker changing fruity flavors and flavor rings. Just as magical as WONKA's factory! “Candylicious recreates this magic with the Wonka Gold contest which goes on until Dec. 12th during HolidayFest” said Lynda Evjen, one of the founders of Holidayfest. “Increase your chances to win by coming in on November 25th, buy two Wonka Bars and get your Gobstoppers free!”
Bring in your Wonka candy wrapper to Candylicious during the week of Dec. 13th to Dec. 17th to check to see if you have the winning code for “GOLD”. Three people will have the winning code on their wrapper. Awards will be given out during a ceremony in Candylicious on Friday December 18t. by Len Silverman, King of Holidayfest.
