C Spire Wireless Steps Up as Presenting Sponsor for 2012 Celebration of Music, Food and Arts
Oxford, Miss. (February 17, 2012) – Plans for the 17th annual Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival presented by C Spire Wireless are well under way, organizers said Friday during a news conference. Taking its name from the town’s authentic double decker bus imported from England in 1994, the festival brings together visitors and residents alike for a celebration of music, food, and the arts held on the picturesque Courthouse Square.
The 2012 event on April 27 and 28 will again feature a two day format that includes additional musical offerings on Friday night and the traditional festival activities on Saturday. Friday's concert is a ticketed event, but the family activities on Saturday remain free. In addition, this year's festival will include a celebration of Oxford's 175th birthday.
Once again, over 150 art vendors from around the region will display their creative wares for the anticipated 55,000 festival attendees. Selected by Oxford's Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the vendors include potters, glass craftsmen, woodworkers, painters, and self-taught artists working in a variety of mediums.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, shoppers can browse to the rhythmic sounds of bluegrass, jazz, gospel, blues, country, folk, Cajun, and regional rock-and-roll groups. The main stage, the Caterpillar Stage will feature touring and regional acts, and the Oxford American Stage will feature mainly local acts. Presenting sponsor, C Spire Wireless, will also bring some of their Bright Lights Musicians to the stages this year.
Hungry from a day of shopping and dancing, attendees will want to stroll through the "Taste of Oxford" food court featuring a mouth-watering sampling of culinary treats from 25 local restaurateurs. Whether a cup of spicy duck gumbo, a slice of pepperoni pizza, or a chocolate-filled croissant, there is something to satisfy everybody's palate.
The Children's Square Fair will again feature face painting, storytelling, and musicians to keep both children and their parents entertained. There will also be many new activities for kids of all ages! The highlight of the afternoon is the Best Dressed Pet Contest when participants, hoping to win the coveted first prize, parade their dogs, cats, rabbits, and even chickens dressed in elaborate costumes.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Chamber of Commerce 5k walk and 10k run. Winding through the University of Mississippi campus and nearby Oxford neighborhoods, the two courses are fun for both beginner joggers as well as experienced athletes.
"The festival continues to grow each year, and we hope that this year will be the largest celebration ever," said Mary-Kathryn Herrington, Festival Director, "We have made some improvements and really stepped up our game this year, and can't wait to share it with all the people who love this festival."
"We're excited to be involved in a dynamic and entertaining program like the Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival that combines the charm of Oxford with a first-class event that focuses on the region's best in music, food and the arts," said Jim Richmond, director of Corporate Communications for C Spire Wireless.
The 17th annual Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival Presented by C Spire Wireless will be held on Friday evening of April 27 and Saturday April 28, 2012. For more information or a schedule of the day's events, go to www.doubledeckerfestival.com.
Sponsors of the 2012 festival include: Ajax Diner, Amy Head Cosmetics, Baptist Hospital, B & B Concrete, Belles and Beaus, BKD, LLP; Budweiser, C Spire Wireless, Cardiology Consultants of Oxford, Caterpillar, Cintas, Chick-Fil-A, Domino's, Downtown Oxford Inn, Gateway Tire, Isle of Capri Casino, Hampton Inn West, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn East-Conference Center, High Point Coffee, Holli's Sweet Tooth, Home Depot, Invitation Oxford, Malco Oxford Studio Cinema, Mayo Mallette, MDA/Tourism Division, McEwen's, Metrocast, MPak, Neilsons, Oxford American Magazine, Oxford Bank Association, Oxford Eagle, Oxford Electric Department/ TVA, Oxford Insurance Agency, Regions Bank, Soulshine Pizza, Strategic Financial Partners, Tummies Maternity, University of Mississippi, University Urgent Care, Warehouse 605, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Zerk Wilson Golf Cars.
About C Spire Wireless
C Spire Wireless is a diversified wireless communications company passionately committed to helping customers by personalizing wireless services designed just for them. The company is the first wireless provider in the U.S. to personalize customers' experience by offering apps that fit who they are, services that anticipate their needs, and rewards for using their phone in new ways – all with seamless ease and at amazingly fast speeds. This news release and other announcements are available at http://www.cspire.com/news/. For more information about C Spire Wireless and its products and services, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.
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