The pandemic was a huge roadblock over the last year and a half, but even so we created a “Rumpus Show” online and did a virtual event! The biggest challenge has been managing our growth and getting it all done! People and the City of Athens have really embraced the Wild Rumpus, so that has paved the way for doing whatever we set out to do- It’s been totally great. Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way? Last year, we became a nonprofit ourselves and in 2021 had one of the biggest events in our history, with multiple stages, bands in the streets, a huge DJ dance party and thousands upon thousands of attendees all in costume! Now after 13 years, the Wild Rumpus is one of Athens’ top 3 annual events and draws people regionally, nationally, and internationally. In the next few years, the event took off exponentially in terms of attendance, and we started giving a share of our proceeds from fundraising to local charity nonprofits. Lo and behold hundreds of people had showed up ready to go! There were so many people, I got a citation for blocking traffic. Figuring it would be a flop because of the weather, I nonetheless headed downtown to lead the parade. I had gotten a blurb in the local paper and made a Facebook post about it to my then 100 or so new Facebook friends. In 2009, I started the Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle on a whim… It was on Halloween that year, and that night was cold and rainy. I moved to Athens after college at University of Massachusetts where I earned a BFA in oil painting and logged a side degree in throwing Halloween parties lol!! As soon as I moved south, I started throwing Halloween events with my bands, loving the whole vibe of the costumes and wildness that ensues when people are transformed into characters. I’m a musician and artist that’s called Athens home for 30 years, and I’m the founder of the Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle- an all-inclusive Halloween costume parade in downtown Athens. Hi Timi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. Today we’d like to introduce you to Timi Conley.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |