09/28/2024
Text of our letter to the editor that was published in Thursday's edition of the Advocate Tribune. It's long because there are so many people to thank!
On behalf of the SquidFest Planning Committee (AKA the Todd Squad), I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the community of Granite Falls and to all of our wonderful partners who lend their time, energy and support to make this event come to life.
Our sponsors provide critically important financial resources and logistical support. Huge thanks to the City of Granite Falls, FM Bank, the Rock: Dining & Events, Granite Falls Kiwanis, Granite Falls Area Community Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board for their financial support of SquidFest 2024. Thanks also to the Department of Public Transformation for providing lodging for visiting SquidFest artists at the YES! House as well as hours of volunteer support, to Almich’s Market for donations of supplies for the Stone Soup fundraiser, and to the Granite Area Arts Council for being the fiscal host and providing other supports too numerous to list. We couldn’t do it without all of you.
Thanks as well to our many, many community partners. While they are technically separate events, we work closely with the Granite Falls American Legion and Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization (GFRR) to coordinate activities at SquidFest, Rib Fest, and the Steve Virnig Memorial Golf Tournament, and to cross-promote our events. Thanks to Bluenose Gopher Public House for drink tickets and other support. Shout out to the Granite Falls Public Library, LeeMar Ranch, Granite Falls Assembly of God, and Tamara Isfeld and the YME art students for providing free art activity tables, and to the Granite Falls Fire Department for making a fire truck available. We are also proud to partner with Tyler’s Troopers and the Kluver family to fundraise for ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy) research through the X Out ALD 5k event, and with Andy Holt to raise money for Neighbor’s United Food Shelf through the Stone Soup fundraiser.
Big thanks to project designer Christopher Lutter-Gardella and to our many volunteers who helped out with creating Todd’s Garage – there were so many hours devoted to that project, and what an outcome! If you weren’t able to see Todd’s Garage during the festival, we hope to have it open a few more times this fall. Check the SquidFest page or the GAAC website for future opportunities.
Thanks to the many artists and performers, many local and regional and all Minnesota-based, who shared their talents with us. We were awed and amused by the humor and physical abilities of circus artists Dr. R.E.Cycle (David Walbridge) and Benjamin Domask-Ruh and Thom Wall. Our ears appreciated the musical talents of Mike Gill, Kayla Daniels, and the Squid City Slingers. And Todd’s Garage was made into a fully immersive experience with the soundscape composed by local artist Nicole Brenny.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt appreciation also to all the volunteers who work at the festival and serve on the committee. Putting on a festival like this doesn’t happen by magic – it requires people who are willing to donate time and effort to make it happen. We are in need of additional volunteers for the SquidFest committee in order to sustain the festival. If you have enjoyed SquidFest and appreciate what we offer to the community, please consider volunteering. To volunteer, contact us at Granite Area Arts Council or by email at [email protected].
I’d also like to recognize area businesses like Carl’s Bakery, The Rock, and Falls Café and Canoe, who support the festival by getting in on the fun and offering SquidFest themed special items. We love your sense of fun and community! We’d also like to recognize the other downtown businesses who are willing to support the festival in various ways. In a time where it seems there are so many things designed to divide us, having people of all stripes come together in the spirit of cooperation, community, and a sense of play feels not just hopeful and helpful, but downright necessary.
In summary, THANK YOU GRANITE FALLS! I’m proud to call this community my home.
If I missed anyone I should have called out by name, please know the oversight is mine alone, and most definitely not intentional.
Melissa Peterson
2024 SquidFest Festival Coordinator
