New generation ‘refuels’ Madison Street Festival

Madison Street Festival Committee’s ‘new generation’ includes John Roberts, from left, Alicia Korte Roberts and three-month-old son Charlie, Beth Ridgeway and Kyle Mumaw. Not pictured is Caroline Reed. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

Keegan Mumaw, from left, Kyle Mumaw and Rosalie Holcombe are in Madison Street Festival’s ‘new generation.” (Photo by Sarah Brewer with Click Photo Designs)

MADISON – A new generation of volunteers is refueling the Madison Street Festival (MSF) Committee.

“Our new generation has quickly become the committee’s backbone,” festival president Sharon Holcombe said. “They’re instrumental in every aspect of planning and executing.” Sharon’s daughter Rosalie Holcombe helps with grants and social media.

“Call them ‘Next Generation,’ ‘Gen X,’ ‘The Millennials’ or just young. Whatever we call them, we’re really glad to have them work with us on the task of putting together this street festival each year,” arts and crafts chairperson Brenda Parker said.

“They have a different way of looking at things,” Parker said. “It’s like they look at things with fresh sets of eyes.”

Also, the festival’s growth has increased physical demands. “They’re young and can handle the physicality much better,” Parker said.

Kyle Mumaw, MSF President Elect and Logistics Chairman, believes MSF is important to promote Madison’s growth. “Not enough young people give back to the community,” Mumaw said. He’s a 2003 graduate of Bob Jones High School.

Kyle’s wife Keegan co-chairs grants and works in social media.

Also 2003 Bob Jones graduates and band alumni, John and Alicia Korte Roberts will introduce three-month-old son Charlie to the festival. John works in logistics. Alicia co-chairs entertainment.

“I love how family -oriented MSF is,” Alicia said, “especially now that we have a son. We can have the experience with him when he’s older. I’ll always remember, when the parade was over, my mom and I always walked through MSF together.”

Beth Ridgeway moved to Madison in 2008 after graduating from Jacksonville State University. “MSF was the first event I attended. It was awesome, big and wonderful,” Ridgeway said.

“It inspired me to know an entire group of people worked together to do MSF,” Ridgeway said. “Everyone who attends MSF (should) be nice to people in the red T-shirts. They make it happen.” Ridgeway is website chairperson. Caroline Reed assists with website work, along with registration.

“They can tweet, post, pin and blog and do all kinds of things on social media,” Parker said. “And let’s face it … whether we older generation like it or not, that’s the way to publicize the festival now: #msf2015.”

MSF’s date is Oct. 3.