In Minocqua, Wisconsin, the smell of roast beef fills the air at Beef-A-Rama, an annual celebration that brings more than 12,000 people together for a beef roasting competition, Rump Roast Run, beef eating contest, live music, art and more. For the community of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, September means an opportunity for parades, food and family fun at the annual University of North Dakota football team’s Potato Bowl USA. In Des Moines, Iowa, the Des Moines Arts Festival draws over 200,000 people to celebrate art and those who make it.

While these festivals are unique, they’re not uncommon. Across the United States, communities host one-of-a-kind festivals to celebrate the places they call home. Whether they’re centered around a town’s history, an important industry, a local legend or a sport, these festivals foster pride in hometowns across the country and provide a variety of benefits to the community.

Among these benefits are keeping communities connected, preserving culture and traditions, supporting the local economy, and contributing to the overall well-being of a community.

Creating a sense of community

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, life has changed for many. Businesses have witnessed reduced foot traffic, there are fewer opportunities for people to connect and more people are increasingly spending time at home.

With fewer opportunities to interact with friends, family and neighbors, festivals play a crucial role in creating a sense of community. They offer people a reason to come together outside of their daily routines and provide a source for community connection. In doing so, these festivals contribute to nurturing local pride, forging new relationships and strengthening the important sense of unity and belonging that keeps communities connected.

Boosting local economies

Local festivals not only enhance community relationships but also play a vital role in boosting local economies by stimulating activity and supporting businesses. These events attract residents and tourists, leading to increased foot traffic in the area. When visitors attend festivals, they often spend money on accommodations, food, transportation, and local goods and services. This increased activity leads to higher sales and exposure for local businesses such as restaurants, shops, art galleries and music venues while injecting capital directly back into the community.

Additionally, festival organizers may hire local staff, leading to job opportunities and income for the workforce. The overall economic impact is substantial, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire community by helping sustain and grow the local economy.

Celebrating community culture

Community festivals are essential for celebrating a community's culture, especially at a time when towns across the United States are witnessing a surge in sameness and a growing sense of uniformity. Festivals serve as vibrant showcases of traditions, customs and values that define a community’s identity.

By spotlighting the history, art, music and traditions that make a community unique, festivals not only preserve cultural legacies but also share them with younger generations to ensure that these cherished traditions continue to thrive and evolve.

How the Cenex^® brand is supporting local festivals

To support these festivals and celebrate all they do to create stronger community connections, Cenex, the energy brand of CHS Inc., has launched Hometown Throwdown — a digital-first contest encouraging local pride by asking individuals and organizations to share what makes their hometown festival unique.

The entry period for the competition is open now through December 15. Individuals and organizations can post a photo or video of their unique festival to Facebook, Instagram (@CenexStores) or TikTok (@CenexStores_) using the #PoweredLocally and #Contest hashtags. Nominations can also be submitted through the Hometown Throwdown online entry form.

Once the entry period has closed, three finalists will be announced in April 2024 and voting will open. The grand-prize winner will be revealed in May 2024 and will receive $100,000 for their festival. The remaining two finalists will receive $25,000 each.

Visit CenexHometownThrowdown.com for more information.