PIEROGI FEST

As a Freelance Social Media Event Specialist, I developed strategies that would accomplish Pierogi Fest's event attendance goal of 300,000 patrons during the weekend of its COVID comeback festival.

In reintroducing the festival after the 2020 Pandemic it was important to utilize digital and traditional media channels to reach the public. Event dates were communicated clearly, and patrons felt healthy and safe to enjoy the festival yet again. The Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce that hosts Pierogi Fest stressed that event coverage needed to loudly invite it’s typical demographic back with a vengeance.

Here It is in Black & White

Stats & Results

STATS & RESULTS

Omni channel content plan delivered an average of 76.6K organic post impressions, and 18.2k organic engagement for this event.
Media communication strategy resulted in approximately 300,000 attendees.

STATS & RESULTS

Hired, and managed a staff of 5
Executive Produced event coverage through 3 on the ground correspondents, and 2 photographers.
Pitched a $6000 event coverage bid that won

STATS & RESULTS

Oversaw all press releases and event assets to several local news outlets
Key focus being communication of the festival health protocol Per CDC Guidelines

The Return of Pierogi Fest

What Even is a Pierogi?

Pierogi Fest is a food and culture festival in Whiting Indiana that celebrates the wacky, the kitsch, the absurd and the Buscias. Don’t let that fool you, it’s a nationally known festival.

The biggest job to be done under this role was to communicate clearly that this event was happening, and the FAQ behind COVID as it related to this event. To accomplish this I fostered relationships with local media, created engaging social content that caught people attention through out the event and garnered buzz. This lead to a full attendance of 300,000 people, a pre pandemic measure we replicated post pandemic. I was delighted to be executive producer on this project as Pierogi Fest takes place in Whiting IN, where I am from, so it was a bonus to be able to hire local creatives, manage our event budget personally, and ensure safety protocols in my community.

Made Sure to Capture Those Savory Moments

Nice to See 300,000 Pierogi Fans

Getting Media Coverage

Small Town Feast, Big Time Reach

In tandem with a revamped digital media strategy, I lead the pursuit of traditional media as a main pillar of content of Pierogi fest including both avenues of media ensured Pierogi Fest’s attendees were reached more broadly for the festivals come back post COVID.
- Here is where the Local ish News release is
- Need help with medium link
- But I have the Big one

We Try to be Serious about our Silly

Return to Abnormality

Sometimes making sure that people are having fun takes a lot of serious work. By making sure that we not only met the silly and absurdist brand voice of the festival i had to fold strategy into that tone to communicate rigid safety protocols
Pierogi Fest is fun, light hearted, and delicious, that branding doesn’t mesh well with Pandemic guidelines. I focused all communication strategies to gently guide our festival goers into feeling safe while also reminding all of the latest CDC Guidelines.
- All messaging strategy stayed focused on the positive with clear and simple guidelines to follow. Extra staff was on hand to be on our handles answering all questions.
“Pierogi Fest is known for its fun and safety, and our plans include measures due to COVID-19, like relocating picnic and eating areas to reduce the crowd along the main festival area,” said Chairman and Co-Founder Tom Dabertin.
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