Ferndale Bud Light Blues Festival distributes funds this month

FERNDALE –
Organizers of the annual Ferndale Bud Light Blues Festival announced the distribution of over $23,000 in direct proceeds this month to local charities and not-for-profit organizations.
This year's festival, held during nine days in late January and early February, featured 75 concerts and events held in two dozen venues in Ferndale and Hazel Park. Gross festival revenue increased by 12 percent from 2007, according to a press release.
Festival Co-Chairs presented a check to the Hazel Park City Council meeting for $1,000, which went to the Hazel Park Youth Assistance. Hazel Park held a dozen concerts at several venues in that city and also provided volunteers.
Later this month Ferndale Youth Assistance will receive $9,200 from the festival proceeds. The Ringwald Theatre and the Ferndale Middle School Band Boosters each received $100 donations from festival proceeds. Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, which organizes the event each year, gets nearly $14,000 for its programs in Southeast Michigan.
Expenses for the entire effort were just over $10,000.
The successful growth in funds this year was a direct result of business support and the new "ribs burn-off" held on the last day of the event at Dino's in downtown Ferndale, according to the release.
"Were it not for corporate support and the new 'ribs burn-off' event put on by Dean Bach and other local business owners, we may not have increased our totals this year," said Craig Covey, festival co-chair and Ferndale mayor, in a statement. "In a tough economy, we are so lucky to have such creative and energetic support."
Held in the middle of winter each year, the Blues Festival will begin its eighth year in 2009. It has become known nationally and attracts thousands of music aficionados to the region. About 70 volunteers help coordinate the event and raise money.