ANDERSON, SC: The Board of Directors for the Anderson Soiree has announced a new three-year partnership with Main Street Events to serve as the exclusive Event Management Company for Anderson’s annual spring festival through 2010.  The 13th annual Anderson Soiree is scheduled for the last weekend of April each year.

"The Anderson Soiree Board of Directors are excited about our new venture with Main Street Events”, remarked Linda Smith, Anderson Soiree Board of Directors Chairperson.  “The Soiree's Great Tradition of being Anderson’s largest downtown festival will continue with the Board overseeing and working with Main Street events to make the festival even bigger and better. We are looking forward to the 2008 Soiree being the best event on the streets next year."

The ANDERSON SOIREE is the largest street festival in Anderson County (with 20,000-25,000 annual attendance), and was created as a community festival that is family-friendly with FREE admission and encourages residents to visit Downtown Anderson.  The two-day festival runs throughout the street of Anderson with a perfect combination of music, food, children’s activities, crafts – basically, something for everyone.  With the growth of the Downtown area, it is a chance for residents of the upstate and beyond to experience the growth and resurgence of Anderson.

Main Street Events, Inc. (MSE) is a 501 c (6) non-profit organization that was established in 1983 to organize, promote and professionally manage events that enhance tourism, economic development and community pride. The mission is to be the premier producer of events which enhance quality of life, build a sense of belonging, and invite involvement in the community.  MSE is also the owner and producers of B&B Development Downtown Sounds, a weekly music series created in the spring of 2007 in Downtown Anderson.

“Main Street Events is extremely grateful to the Anderson Soiree board for this opportunity for us to expand our business in Anderson,” stated Byron K. Rucker, MSE Executive Director.  “Without a doubt, the Soiree has long been recognized as the premier event in Downtown Anderson, and we are confident that our partnership will only strengthen the festivals future.  The Anderson community has been very receptive to our organization, and we look forward to gathering additional friends and business relationships in a growing business climate.”

In the agreement, the Anderson Soiree Board of Directors will continue to oversee all aspects of the festival.  The role of MSE will be to provide expertise in operational systems for food and craft vendors, event site planning, marketing/advertising, entertainment coordination, financial safeguards, public relations and website management.  MSE (www.mainstevents.com) has seven (7) full-time professionals to handle all areas of event production out of its Greenville, SC office.

The event website (www.andersonsoiree.com) has a new look and will be a central location for complete festival information including schedules, entertainment, vendors, sponsors and much more.

Main Street Events, Inc. owns and operates Countybank Main Street Jazz, AT&T Red, White and Blue, B&B Development Downtown Sounds (Anderson, SC), as well as The Greenville News Shaggin on Augusta. MSE has management contracts with St. Francis Fall for Greenville, Artisphere International Arts Festival, TLC Laser Eye Centers Downtown Alive, USA Professional Cycling Championships, Wheels for Meals Cycling Fundraiser, and the Anderson Downtown Chili Cook-off. MSE is also engaged in consulting roles with other markets throughout the eastern part of the U.S.