A word from Pastor Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission:
The Building Hope for the Future Capital Campaign represents our plan to stay strong in the mission’s service to homeless women, children and families in Kalamazoo County. Please know that while women and children are being served in record numbers, portions of our facility are no longer functional due to aging conditions that go beyond our ability to repair. It is essential that the mission take a bold step forward and rebuild a new home for the people we serve.
Building Hope for the Future will provide new bedrooms, community rooms, play rooms, common spaces, a learning center and chapel. Each of these spaces are designed to give our staff and volunteers a vibrant new context for serving the complex needs of homeless women and children. When completed, this project will expand our overnight capacity to provide a range of residential based services to women, children and families from 234 to 294. Without this new facility the mission will be forced to reduce its capacity for services because of inefficiencies.
It is important that we give each of the people we serve the best chance for a new start in life. Our facilities play a critical role in that effort. In advance, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this. Please know that I stand ready to answer any questions you might have and can be reached at 269-345-2974 x201.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a fee for parking at the festival?
A: Arcadia Creek Festival Place is conveniently located in downtown Kalamazoo. The address is 145 Waters
Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007. With the event occurring on Sunday, many of the downtown parking lots are
free of charge, as are the street meters.
Q: Can I bring a cooler with food and/or drinks?
A: No coolers or carry-ins will be allowed within the gates during the festival, other than diaper bags. Food
and beverage will be sold inside the venue between 12:00pm and 10:00pm. All bags are subject to search.
Q: What are my ticket options?
A: The kid’s festival and activities will take place between 12:00pm and 6:00pm. The admission for the kid’s
festival is $5.00 BEFORE 4:00pm. Entry after 4:00pm the day of the event is $18.00 per person. If you buy tickets through brownpapertickets.com,
be sure that you are aware of the change in pricing at the gate at 4:00pm. If you purchase a $5.00 ticket on-line, but do not show up at the event
until 4:05pm, you will need to pay the additional $14 at the door to be admitted ($18.00 total after 4:00pm)
Q: What time does the festival start?
A: The festival gates open at 12:00pm. Children’s activities, food vendors and local live music will begin at
that time. The main stage concert begins at approximately 5:30pm and will run until approximately 9:45pm.
The festival ends promptly at 10:00pm.
Q: What kind of seating is available at the festival?
A: We encourage you to bring bag chairs. There is a limited amount of table seating for eating and relaxing in
the shade.
Q: Is there smoking allowed at the festival site?
A: No, there is no smoking allowed in the festival site the day of the show. As long as you have a festival stamp or wrist band, you may step out of the festival site to smoke.
Q: Will alcohol be sold at the event?
No, this is a family friendly, alcohol free event.
Q: What types of food options are available at the festival?
A: A variety of concessions will be available on festival grounds.
Q: Are pets allowed at the festival?
A: Pets are not allowed within the gates of the festival site.
Q: May I bring my in-line skates or bike?
A: No bikes or in-line skates will be permitted inside the festival due to safety concerns for all attendees. You may leave your bike outside an entry gate.
Q: Is there special seating for someone who is handicapped?
A: The festival site is accessible for the handicapped throughout, including handicapped accessible restrooms.
Q: What if something comes up and I can no longer use my tickets, is there any way I can get a refund?
A: Sorry, due to the nature of the event of Building Hope Music & Family Festival we cannot refund/exchange tickets once purchased.
Q: Do you allow churches or organizations to sell items for fundraisers?
A: There is booth space available for churches, organizations or food vendors to rent. If you’d like more information on renting booth space please contact Roxanne Topham at volunteer@kzoogospel.org