Area residents and visitors who attended the first Jazzin' Tiffin last September were pleasantly surprised with the caliber of entertainment and smooth operation of the free outdoor event.
Now its organizers - Carol Yager, Theresa Sullivan and Shirley Smith - are planning the second annual Jazzin' Tiffin for noon-9 p.m. Sept. 11 in Rotary Park on Frost Parkway.
"The only complaint I got last year was that it got chilly at night," Sullivan said.
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Concessions offering light selections again will be set up on Frost Parkway. Sullivan said the committee is hoping to add a second booth with different food options. Last year, some of the restaurants took phone orders and delivered food to the concert grounds as well but visitors are encouraged to stop at local eateries to sample what Tiffin has to offer. Many area businesses will have special offers this year.
"The main focus of the jazz festival is to bring people here to our businesses and our community," Sullivan said.
"It should be a great weekend, because it's also the farmers market and the Cross Country Carnival, so we'll have lots of people in town," Yager added.
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Rick Braun
John Patterson of Monroe, Mich., again helped the committee to book this year's artists. Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. is handling donations and sponsors. Patterson was in Tiffin last year and estimated festival attendance at about 3,000 people, but Sullivan said it was difficult to get an exact count.
"You have breaks in between the performers, so there's some down time. You have people coming and going," she said. "The performers said they were very pleased with the crowd we had, considering it was a first-year event. They thought the crowd size was pretty good."
Flutist Alexander Zonjic is to make a return appearance. The headliner is trumpeter Rick Braun, a 2009 nominee for international jazz performer of the year in Canada. Music lovers who may want a preview of Braun can hear him July 23 at the 2010 Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus or online at www.rickbraun.com.
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"We will have (festival) T-shirts available again and the artists' CDs will be there," Sullivan said. "We do receive a percentage of CD sales from the artists to help offset expenses."
Last year, members of the Tiffin Art Guild had booths set up along Washington Street, which did not attract as much attention as the artists had hoped. Sullivan said TAG approached her about moving their juried art show, "Masterpiece in the Making," from its June date at Heidelberg University to Sept. 11 on Frost Parkway. Both groups liked the idea and acted on it.
"They're going to be on the other end from Miami to Clay Street," Sullivan said.
Jazzin' Tiffin has its own Facebook page with more than 1,000 fans, and Sullivan said the musicians usually post their appearances on their own Web pages to let fans know where the next concert will be. Some of the guests who made the trip last year have said they plan to return.
"That's one of the reasons for booking Rick Braun. He's going to be in Columbus and people who like Rick ... may come here, too," Sullivan said.
Those who missed Jazzin' Tiffin last year should make a point to attend this year. It is to be a full day of music by local, regional and national jazz musicians. Admission is free and open to the public. Bring lawn chairs for seating. Jazz groups from the area are to be announced soon.
Yager and Sullivan said they have received some significant sponsorships, but they are seeking additional support. A letter that went out to potential donors stated that the festival budget is $25,000, which includes stage and staging equipment, electricity and lighting, performers, advertising, security, restrooms and insurance.
Groups and individuals can send tax-deductible contributions to SIEDC, in care of Jazzin' Tiffin, P.O. Box 542, Tiffin, OH 44883.
