A Brief History
Funfest Productions produces outdoor festivals that include live national concerts, carnival rides, specialty attractions, food vendors, art vendors, and more. The Stars and Stripes Festival, created by Funfest, is a celebration of our country’s birth and highlights everything that makes summertime in America great. Stars and Stripes takes place in the streets of downtown Mt.Clemens. Rock stars, eclectic food, carnival rides, muscle cars, a BMX stunt show, and miltary displays highlight the Stars & Stripes Festival. The weekend kicks off with the annual Fourth of July fireworks that downtown Mt. Clemens has had for years which alone draws nearly 100,000 people. With the addition of our festival the weekend attendance in 2007 reached over 300,000 people, and 2008 over 350,000. It marks the total celebration of America’s freedom and showcases the essence of Fourth of July, the pinnacle of summer in America.
Along with the Stars and Stripes Festival, Funfest produces the St. Clair Riverfest. This festival combines Offshore boat racing and live concerts in one massive weekend festival that's absolutley free to the public. It features live music from national acts all three days, carnival rides, novelty & food vendors, and of course, the massive sounds of Off Shore Racing. This three-day weekend festival is held on the banks of the St. Clair River in beautiful downtown St. Clair, Michigan.
Accomplishments:
* The 1st Annual Stars and Stripes Festival was estimated to have drawn over 300,000 people in a three day period, and the 2008 version was even better drawing over 350,000 despite periods of rain.
* The Stars and Stripes Festival is exclusively partnered with Greater Media Detroit (WRIF, WCSX, and WMGC).
* The St. Clair Riverfest is going on it's fourth year and is expected to draw massive crowds once again to the banks of the St. Clair River. 2008 attendance was over 125,000.
* Both festivals attract entertainers and vendors from all over the United States.
* The Stars and Stripes Festival received positive coverage by not only local Mt. Clemens and Macomb County papers, but also from radio and newspapers throughout the entire metro area.
* The Stars and Stripes Festival and the St. Clair Riverfest also received press coverage on local Detroit area Television stations.
* The Stars and Stripes Festival brought in an estimated one million dollars to the local downtown business over the three day weekend.
Funfest Productions was formed in 2006 by music industry veterans Kevin Cassidy and Joe Nieporte.
Mr. Cassidy's experience includes stints at Olympia Entertainment, and most recently established Freedom Hill Amphitheater as a respected venue on the national stage booking and marketing over 150 major acts since 2000 (highlighted names include Tony Bennett, Alabama, B-52’s, Aretha Franklin, Wynonna, Sugar Ray, Tommy Lee, Hank Williams, Jr., Art Garfunkel, Joe Cocker, David Lee Roth, Earth, Wind & Fire, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Tom Jones, Michael Buble, BB King, Steve Miller Band, Counting Crows, O.A.R., Donna Summer, Michael McDonald, Huey Lewis & The News to name a few).
Mr. Nieporte created and developed the Emerald Theatre complex into a multi-purpose venue that has hosted national concerts, nightclub style dance nights, and corporate parties and seminars. Highlighted events include corporate parties with Sports Illustrated, Chevrolet, Outback Restaurants, and Quicken Loans. The Emerald has also hosted numerous political events and fundraisers with various government officials, which include Governor Jennifer Granholm and Senator Debbie Stabenow. National concerts booked at the Emerald include Kid Rock, Eddie Money, Jewel, Cheap Trick, Alice in Chains, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Styx, just to name a few. In addition to owning and operating the Emerald, Mr. Nieporte also owns Hemisphere Entertainment, whos clients include Freedom Hill Amphitheater and the following festivals: Arts, Beats, and Eats, Detroit Downtown Hoedown, Motown Winter Blast, Jambalaya Street Festival, Detroit International Riverdays, and the Detroit Grand Prix.
