Nineteen of the State’s top festival and event organizers, supporters and events were presented with major awards at the Washington Festivals and Events Association annual awards dinner held November 2 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Bellevue.
The Benton Franklin Fair was named Event of the Year for the Southeast Washington Region, the only fair to receive such recognition.
“We are honored to be recognized at the state level,” said Duane Howard, President of the Benton Franklin Fair Board of Directors. “We look forward to celebrating the Fair’s 75th year in 2023 and this award acknowledges the hard work and commitment of all the volunteers past, present and future.”
Wintergrass of Bellevue was named the statewide Event of the Year Presented by Alexander Party Rental, while four individuals were inducted into the WFEA Hall of Fame Presented by Grand Event Rentals – Bill Burke from Burke Marketing and Pig Out in the Park in Spokane, Craig Cooke from Pacific Rim Talent in Edmonds, Star Moser from Cort Party Rental, and Mike Prebezac from Event Management Services in Edmonds.
Gloria Connors from Connors and Events in Seattle was named the Event Producer of the Year Presented by SpeedPro, while Shelly Tolo from Tolo Events in Seattle was named the Event Organizer of the Year Presented by Cort Party Rental.
Robb Zerr from the Washington State Department of Commerce was named the Event Supporter of the Year Presented by Morgan Sound, while Sean Coleman from BMX Racing in Port Angeles was named Volunteer of the Year, and Riley Stockton of HoopFest was given the Rising Star Award.
The Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival and the Seattle Summer Music Games won the Grand Summit, which is the highest marketing award given by the Association.
Other regional event winners included:
North Olympic PeninsulaPort Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, Forks Twilight Festival
South Puget SoundOlympia Harbor Days
Southwest WashingtonFour Days of Aloha
North Puget SoundSedro Woolley Logerrodeo
Central Puget SoundWintergrass of Bellevue, Seattle Seafair
Greater TacomaTacoma Pride Festival
Central WashingtonWinthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival
Southeast WashingtonBenton Franklin Fair
Greater SpokanePig Out in the Park