Benedum Festival organizers were hoping for two days of clear weather for their July 12-13 festivities at Bridgeport City Park.

 

They got one.

 

But all things considered - the festival pegged early on by the committee as “The Festival of the Century” - was quite successful.

 

Festival Chair John Belcastro reports that an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people were on festival grounds this past weekend. Biggest numbers turned out Saturday evening after things cooled off, he said. The festival was successful financially, covering all expenses and still leaving funds to carry over into next year’s planning.

 

With the addition of the oil and gas expo to this year’s festival, food vendors were tripled to accommodate an anticipated larger crowd. Friday night’s activities being basically washed out due to late afternoon downpours, Belcastro said he became concerned.

 

“But Saturday was great and compensated for (Friday),” he said. “I contacted every single food vendor and each was happy with the turnout.”

 

Thomas Stanley Amusements, which brought in carnival rides and games, was also pleased. The company took in around $5,000 on Saturday and even though Friday was considered a wash-out, sold around $1,000 worth of tickets that night.

 

“Overall, they made money on the rides and games, like the duck pond and ring toss,” Belcastro said. “They were really happy and want to come back next year and bring more rides.”

 

Oil and gas expo participants were also pleased with interest and most indicate that they will return for next year’s festival.

 

Looking back on planning efforts, Belcastro said many new strategies – including the distribution of mini brochures, which included event schedules and attraction locations, paid off.

 

“The festival flowed pretty smoothly and I credit those little maps we distributed for cutting down on the confusion we normally have,” he said.

 

Utilizing members of DeMolay to provide parking assistance, as well as shuttle services from various city locations, was also a perk.

 

Because of Friday rains and saturated conditions on Saturday, the festival did incur some unexpected expenses, including the purchase of straw, as well as additional tents. There was also extra expense in rescheduling the laser show for Saturday night.

 

The wet grounds also attributed to some damage to the soccer fields, repair costs which will be absorbed by the festival, Belcastro said.

 

He also commends and extends appreciation to the Bridgeport Parks & Recreation staff for their help in preparing festival grounds for Saturday.

 

“Don (Burton), Joe (Shuttleworth) and their guys were terrific,” he said. “They really bailed us out and helped get things lined up, including tents, tables and chairs.”

Friday’s washout also led to the rescheduling of the Davisson Brothers Band and 2^nd Street to be included in Saturday’s lineup.

 

“The bands went out of their way to work with us. According to their contracts, they didn’t have to come back the next day, but they still did and that was really nice,” said Jason McCall, festival entertainment chair.

 

Even during Friday night’s chaos as organizers were trying to make decisions regarding cancellations/postponements, there was a bright spot, McCall said.

 

A small bluegrass band, added to Friday’s lineup at the last minute, obliged in playing, providing entertainment for the few festival goers, as well as organizers and oil and gas vendors already on the premises.

 

“Obviously, it was a little hectic and the main stage had already been shut down, but these guys from Pennsylvania (The “Weedrags”) were so cool. They could have just taken their check and left, but they found a dry place to plug in their equipment and wound up playing in the dugout of the baseball fields.”

 

All bands were worked in Saturday – each agreeing to perform a slightly shorter set - and turnout for their performances were steady throughout the day, McCall said.

 

“I heard something positive about every band and I think the biggest surprise was Lifepointe Worship Band. We got a lot of nice comments about them,” he said.

 

The performance of Greg Harrison (pictured), has a major local following and his band's show was much anticipated for Saturday night’s finale.

 

All bands were well received and all great to work with, McCall said.

 

“We were behind schedule the whole day and these guys were so genuine and nice to work with. It made things a lot easier on me,” he said.

 

Likely, all of this year’s entertainers will return to next year’s festival, with hopefully one or two additions, McCall said.

 

The talent show, “BFF’s Got Talent,” headed up by Ashley McCall, was also a major success. (Look for more, including winners, in an upcoming Connect-Bridgeport article.)

 

All of the extensive planning, as well as last-minute headaches and changes, were worth it, Belcastro said. That defining moment came when Harrison’s band concluded its set with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”

 

“The second the song concluded, those fireworks exploded in the air and it was coordinated so perfectly,” he said.

 

Going into planning the festival, organizers anticipated it would be “The Festival of the Century.”

 

“And it could have been, had we had a good day Friday, but I’m here to tell you that we had a great festival. It’s taken a new direction and will continue to expand from there.”

 

Festival organizers also send a shout out to the community for its support, as well as to participating civic clubs. 

 

With regard to planning Benedum Festival 2014, more thought may go into considering long-term weather forecast, Belcastro said. 

 

Photos by Ben Queen, www.benqueenphotography.com.