Confederate Flag Controversy? Spoonbread Festival 2017 to be held in Berea Kentucky

The Spoonbread Festival will return to Berea in September, but with new conditions regarding the display of the Confederate flag.

Last year, the Berea Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to cancel the 2016 Spoonbread Festival amid concerns over safety and controversy over the Confederate flag.

“I know the citizens of Berea want Spoonbread to happen because they’re telling us they do”

After the 2015 festival, some people began to demand that the chamber ban the sale or display of the Confederate flag. Protestors marched outside the chamber office, and a group called Bereans United for Racial Justice said the Confederate flag contradicted the principles of inclusion on which Berea was founded. Berea College is known as the first integrated college in the South.

Directions for the Festival

From I-75, please that Exit 78, Follow the signs

Festival is held at 212 W. Jefferson St., Berea, KY
Parking is located at 1 Pirate Dr., Berea, KY

2017

General Exhibitor Information

Festival Hours of Operation
Friday, September 15: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 16: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 17: 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Check-In
All booth spaces will be assigned in early September and will be included in the information packet that exhibitors receive when checking in at the Information Booth during our set-up times. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee a particular booth space, as the festival grows.

Set-Up Times 
Thursday, September 14: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (By prior approval only)
Friday, September 15: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Breakdown Times
Sunday, September 17: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Booth Inspection
Friday, September 15: between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Prior to opening the festival, our booth review committee will visit each vendor’s booth for final inspection.  The Spoonbread Festival is a family friendly event.  Consequently, exhibitors are discouraged from display or sell of items that may offend our festival attendees.   Vendors with non-conforming items (illegal items; products or services that are suggestive, indecent or risque’ in nature; or perceived as offensive by festival attendees based on their culture and heritage) will be asked to remove them from their booth, or in the extreme, may be asked to leave the grounds if most items are in violation.

Beginning in 2017, the sale, display and giving away of the confederate battle flag or merchandise bearing the image of the confederate battle flag is prohibited, with limited historical exceptions, at the Spoonbread Festival, pursuant to Executive Order of the City of Berea.  An exhibitor who violates this prohibition will not be permitted in festival events in the future.  For more information concerning this policy, visit Executive Orders listed under the City of Berea’s Website:  www.bereaky.gov.  The Spoonbread Festival reserves the right to approve or deny participation of any applicant.

Exhibitor Parking 
A parking pass will be included in each exhibitor’s Information Packet allowing you to park FREE in designated lot throughout the Spoonbread Festival.  All vehicles must be off the festival grounds and parked in the exhibitor parking area by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15.  Note: exhibitors arriving after 1:00 p.m. will not be permitted to set up.

Security
Limited festival security is provided.  However, all exhibitors who leave items in their booth, do so at their own risk. The BCOC, the Spoonbread Festival & the City of Berea are not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

Clean Up  
All vendors are responsible for clean up of their booth space throughout the festival. Exhibitors who fail to clean up their booth area will be accessed a $25 fee and will not be invited to future festivals

Electricity    
Extremely limited (see application form for details)

Application
For a copy of the application form, call 859-986-9760

Application Deadline
Pre-registration: August 1, 2022 to be included in Festival Guide.
After August 1, please call 859-986-9760 booth availability and registration information.

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Below is the story from 2016

Berea chamber cancels Spoonbread Festival in 2016 after city makes demands

 In an unanimous vote, the Berea Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel this year’s Spoonbread Festival amid concerns over safety and controversy over the Confederate flag.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to make concerning the Chamber’s Signature Event in a milestone year, our 20th anniversary,” said the chamber’s Executive Director David Rowlette.

Berea city leaders wanted to add conditions to their contract with the chamber. They traditionally provide space, utilities, and $5,000 to help put on the event.

This year, the city asked organizers to include a “not to discriminate” policy, a limit on the number of display booths and vendors, a requirement that all vendors obtain business licenses, and the prohibition of the sale and distribution of items and merchandise displaying the Confederate flag.

A rally in support of banning the flag took place outside of the chamber building on Thursday as the board met inside to decide the future of the festival.

After negotiations with the City stalled, the chamber explored alternative locations for the festival which drew over 60,000 people last year. (2015)

“It goes without saying, the Spoonbread Festival weekend serves as the busiest weekend of the year for our area restaurants and lodging facilities,” added Chamber President Jennifer Napier.

The 2016 Spoonbread Festival was scheduled for September 16-18.

The 2017

Festival Hours of Operation
Friday, September 15: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 16: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 17: 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.