GETTYSBURG, PA (March 19, 2013) - The Gettysburg Festival is pleased to welcome Randy Prasse [PRAH-see] as the organization's new Executive Director. Hailing from Freeport, Illinois, Prasse steps into his new role today and has hit the ground running in preparation for the 2013 event, which will be held June 8-16 and continue its tradition of featuring American arts through performing, visual, culinary and literary events in the local and regional community. Spotlight events for the 2013 Gettysburg Festival include iconic vocal group, The Letterman; New York Times best-selling author, Jeff Shaara; Phil Dirt presents Surfs Up! A Tribute to the Beach Boys; perennial favorites Blues, Beer, & BBQ, the Edible Art Tour, and the Gettysburg Brass Band Festival; as well as a performance from one of today's hottest nationally known country stars. Watch www.gettysburgfestival.org for this surprise and other line up announcements.
The new Executive Director was selected from 200 applicants responding to a national search. Gettysburg Festival Board Chair, Edith Jardine, explains the board's decision: "We believe that in Randy Prasse we have the perfect combination of experience and demonstrated success. He brings an extensive background in major festival and event management, including five years as CEO and Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Fair and an impressive history of consistently designing programming that attracts people to the downtown area with a focus on food, art, culture and street performers - which was very important to us, since supporting our local economy is part of the Gettysburg Festival mission."
Prasse's tenure with the Wisconsin State Fair - the state's largest event - saw the event go from a $3.7 million deficit in 2005 to consecutive $1.5 million surpluses in 2007 and 2008, with increased multi-year corporate sponsorships and higher attendance.
Additionally, Prasse has been active in industry leadership, including serving on the President's Council of the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) and filling the role of President of IFEA's local Wisconsin chapter. Most recently, he served as the Director of Destination Marketing for Discover Mediaworks in Madison, Wisconsin and Executive Director of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, representing over a dozen communities in northeastern Wisconsin.
"I am so excited to be joining the Gettysburg Festival at this time - although it has already established itself as a viable festival - it has such real potential to be one of the truly great festivals in North America," says Prasse. "I believe a community is defined by how it celebrates - the community's similarities and differences...its culture and heritage. Gettysburg is so rich in culture and heritage- including but also in addition to the Battlefield. The Gettysburg Festival celebrates the community and region for all of its assets."
The Gettysburg Festival 2013 lineup is in place and sure to be a big attraction for the city. In addition to the soon-to-be-announced Country headliner, major events throughout the 10-day event include a lecture and luncheon with New York Times bestselling author, Jeff Shaara (Gods and Generals, The Last Full Measure); a feature concert with The Letterman ("When I Fall In Love," "Unchained Melody"), one of the most romantic vocal groups of all time; and Phil Dirt Presents Surfs Up! A Tribute To The Beach Boys. Attendee favorites, Blues, Beer and BBQ, The Edible Art Tour, Gettysburg Brass Band Festival and Plein Air Art Exhibit will return again this year. The Festival will also continue its tradition of featuring community talent through Fringe events in the areas of visual arts, culinary arts, theater, film, music and children's events.
Tickets for The Letterman concert on Saturday, June 15th at the Majestic Theater are currently on sale and can be purchased for $32.50, $42.50 and $52.50 via the Majestic Theater online ticketing. [click here for tickets]
ABOUT GETTYSBURG FESTIVAL
Celebrating its sixth year, the Gettysburg Festival (a 16-time international Pinnacle Award winner) is a sought-out event, which has grown to become a yearly tradition for the entire family with both area residents and tourists alike. With an average attendance of 23,000 people from 30 states and the District of Columbia, the Festival celebrates local talent within the community through its Fringe events in the areas of visual arts, culinary arts, theater, film, music and children's events, as well as presenting world-renown experts in these categories. Past highlights include James Earl Jones narrating A Lincoln Portrait, comedy legend Bob Newhart, Kevin Eubanks of Tonight Show fame, former White House Chef Walter Scheib and the critically-acclaimed Boston Brass, to name a few. Ideally situated in historical central Pennsylvania and located within a day's drive of 60% of the entire North American population, Gettysburg Festival 2013 will be held June 8-16th. The Gettysburg Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about the Gettysburg Festival, new Executive Director, Randy Prasse, or ticketing for any of the 2013 events, please visit our website at www.gettysburgfestival.org. Up-to-the-minute details can be found on Twitter and FaceBook.
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