Owosso Curwood Festival 2022

…when you mix honoring author/conservationist James Oliver Curwood, two entertainment stages with top notch performers, a queen, a princess, a Mr. Owosso, two parades, artisans, crafters and commercial vendors, all you can eat pancakes, elephant ears, 5 & 10K runs, kids events, river races, dog contests, wine tasting, a carnival, over 400 volunteers and a group of dedicated directors?

An often-asked question by visitors to each year’s Curwood Festival is, “just what does the festival do for the community with the money it raises each year?” It is a legitimate question and visitors may be interested in the answer.

Just how much is available for donation to the community depends to a great extent on weather, the one variable that can never be completely controlled. The surplus is contributed to the greater Owosso community for beneficial projects and activities.

We are part of this wonderful community and over the years, the Curwood Festival Directors have donated $25,000 to build the Heritage Footbridge, purchased 30 picnic tables for area parks, pledged $1,000 annually to the maintenance of Curwood Castle, given $3,500 to assist with the construction of a Playscape in Bentley Park, gave $1,000 to kickoff the fundraising efforts for a bronze statue of James Oliver Curwood to place in Curwood Castle Park for all to enjoy.  In 2019, 40 area nonprofits, service clubs, schools, and churches raised a total of $70,112 via the fundraising opportunities available through the festival.

The Curwood Festival, a non-profit organization run by unpaid volunteers and one paid staff member, is a colorful and enjoyable event that builds community spirit and enhances the region’s economy. For 11 months, the volunteer Board of Directors and Committee Chairs are busy planning this 4-day event.  One week before the Opening Ceremony, volunteers start to help out and get the festival area set up, and for 4 great days, the festival is presented to our guests in hopes that this year will exceed all our expectations, and YOURS!

And of course for several days after, we carefully put the festival away, sweep the grounds and sit back and say WOW!! We really did it!! Volunteers don’t get paid for their efforts – their reward is the satisfaction of mutual involvement and the pleasure of knowing that the proceeds of our hard work helps support our community in many ways. We all are tired at the end, but ready to do it all over again the next year!!