By Theresa Armstrong

Reporter

tdunn@gcnewsgazette.com

Grayson County's Ice Cream Festival and fireworks display, scheduled for July 11-12, will have a Hawaiian Luau theme this year.

Heritage Media of Kentucky, Inc has announced that a sponsorship agreement with Windstream Communications, will allow the 17th Annual K105 Ice Cream Festival to be held as planned.

According to a press release by Mark Buckles, President and CEO of Heritage Media Of Kentucky, the company that owns the Ice Cream Festival, sponsors are traditionally renewed and secured in January of each year.

While the festival's long-running title sponsor, Walker Chiropractic, did renew for its 6th consecutive year, the fireworks show sponsor did not.

That left festival organizers scrambling for a replacement. After a lengthy search did not produce a new corporate partner, it appeared that a tough decision about the future of the festival was imminent.

"Thirty days ago, I'd have told you that we'd either have to take a year off, or the festival would go away permanently" says Buckles. "We were looking at scaling back and even canceling. But the fireworks are the climax to the event, and although we used to have a festival without them, we've all gotten accustomed to them."

In 1999, Heritage Media and the City Of Leitchfield joined forces to produce the show, and make it included with the Ice Cream Festival.

The festival was always held on the second Saturday in July, so the schedule made it an ideal fit, with the city's smaller fireworks display around the 4th of July.

Two major sponsors are required make the festival financially feasible. One as the title sponsor of the festival as a whole, and one presenting sponsor of the fireworks display.

"I think people overlook or take for granted the financial commitment it takes to make this a free event for all. Without sponsors, none of this would happen" said Buckles. "Beyond the sponsors, we need people who attend to participate in the carnival, food and merchandise sales. That's how the festival happens. It's an expensive event to put on."

Without a sponsor set up for the fireworks display in 2008, a unique opportunity presented itself When the Windstream's "Green Truck Tour" wanted to make the Ice Cream Festival one of its 90 stops.

Buckles said that they immediately saw an opportunity to team up in a win-win situation.

"The Green Truck Tour is such a unique idea and we had a unique opportunity. When we presented the title sponsorship opportunity to them, they almost instantly said yes. We were thrilled and so happy to be working with a strong corporate citizen like Windstream" Buckles said.

Jason Dudley is a local manager for Windstream and said it's a good feeling to be able to step up and make sure the festival continues.

"We enjoy every opportunity to be part of the community and help out with any event, especially in a situation where one's in danger of not being put on" said Dudley.

The Green Truck Tour is designed to promote Windstream's phone, broadband and digital TV products and services.

Dudley says that educating customers during the Tour is also important. "It gives us an opportunity to educate the public and all our customers on how a traditional land line phone service offers additional reliability and safety when it comes to bad weather, storms and power outages. It's also able to help 911 Operators tell where you're at in an emergency situation."

There are actually four Green Trucks on the tour, one of which will make an appearance in Leitchfield on July 11th and 12th. Each is a refurbished 1953 pickup truck that depicts Windstream's rural heritage on the outside and its commitment to future innovation on the inside with a revved up engine and interior.

In addition to learning more about products and services, festival attendees will be able to win prizes and have their picture made with the truck along with other fun activities.

With Windstream as one of the sponsors there are some thoughts that this year's festival could be its largest in history.

"We know a lot of people are staying closer to home this year, so the Ice Cream Festival will be a great, affordable chance to do something with your family" says Angela Buckles, Primary Festival Organizer. "We've developed a theme that we know people will love, and even though they can't go on vacation this year, we're going to take them on a Hawaiian Staycation".

This year's festival will have a Hawaiian Luau feel to it, with island inspired desserts, and a specially prepared music soundtrack for the fireworks entitled "Aloha!" that will transport your imagination to Hawaii.

"Times are tough right now, so we're working very hard to step this up a notch and let people escape for a little while. It's a great family event and we want people to have fun," added Buckles.