Hey everyone! My name is Danielle. I founded and produce First Festival (with a little help from some good friends). The 1st three years have been funded by ticket sales and vendor booths, but it was always my intention to make the festival FREE for everyone to attend. This campaign will help do that and I'm so excited to finally fulfill that mission.
![]()
This campaign is not only important to me, it's important to the community-- to the artists, to the musicians, to the comics, to everyone! First Fest celebrates the local arts scene in a way that hasn't been done in our community prior. It creates a platform for local artists to reach audiences that they would never have access to otherwise. But, most importantly, it shows Sacramento all of the home grown talent that exists right here in our region. First Fest proves that local talent can support a weekend long music festival.
Festivals are expensive. We've built the foundation over the last three years and now it's ready to go out to the community in exchange for an epic weekend that doesn't cost a dime for those who attend. We're in this together and I know we'll come out on top. I believe in us.
What We Need & Where It's Going:
![]()
I know what you're thinking. $60,000 is A LOT of money. You're right. It is. But this is what it's taken each year to fund the festival. It's been done through ticket sales, vendor booths, up-selling, credit cards, trading, in-kind donations, loans-- you name it. For the 4th year, we need to look at other options.
In 2017 we had over 3,000 people come through over the weekend. If each of those people donated $20, then this entire campaign would be funded. That's not too bad-- especially with perks at every donation level!
![]()
We've built this festival from the ground up doing everything it takes to create a solid, reliable foundation. Everything has been done in-house to push every dollar as far as it can go. Nothing is spent without critical evaluation. The same will go for these funds. Money will be spent critically and carefully. Every dollar will be respected.
First Fest's Community Impact:
First Fest is the first and only strictly local regional music festival in Sacramento. Our mission is to give local artists and musicians a platform to showcase their projects in a festival-venue. In 3 years, we've showcased nearly 100 local bands spanning all genres. We've showcased a ton of local artists from all backgrounds and who use all different mediums. In 2017 we introduced local comedy into the lineup, highlighting 10 local comedians, including a popular podcast. We have seen nearly 200 vendors come through over the years including crafters, artists, makers, designers, local business, food trucks, food vendors, interactive booths-- you name it! Over the last 3 years we've featured over 100 different local beers on tap from local breweries-- vote on what we pour next year!
First Fest is about community first and foremost. We aren't funded and we aren't run by a corporation. We crowd source ideas and let the community vote on the beer selection and activities. We curate First Festival with Sacramento in mind alongside Sacramento. Always have and always will. Pre-fund with us and help keep First Festival alive in the Sacramento community for the year to come.
Risks & Challenges
What happens if this campaign doesn't fund? Well, its likely that First Fest as we have come to know it may not happen. This fundraiser is critical. We can't financially support the event at the risk of our family and friends again. It's a hard truth we have to face and we're being 100% transparent. First Fest has always paid its bills. We've paid every artist contracted for payment on time and in full. We don't leave people high and dry and we honor our word. Always have and always will, no matter what.
So, if it doesn't fund enough, we'll throw the best party we can with what we have. It might be one day. It might be one stage. It might only be an evening. We REALLY hope we can throw the biggest First Fest yet, but it's all a numbers game. We will do something with whatever we raise, but we REALLY hope that it's another epic First Fest. I'm willing to put in the work if you're willing to help get us there.
![]()
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help. Share this campaign. But most importantly, write something telling your friends why it's important. Create a call to action. Tell 'em why it's important to you.
We love you Sacramento. Thank you for showing up. See you at the park!