Chattanooga, TN – The Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA) recognized the best and brightest in the Southeastern festivals and events industry at the 2025 Kaleidoscope Awards Gala, held during their annual conference in Chattanooga, TN.

Despite challenges posed by an especially destructive hurricane season and the final stages of pandemic recovery within event teams and budgets, organizations across the Southeast demonstrated resilience and creativity in delivering exceptional events. With 206 applications from six states in 21 categories—including two submissions receiving a perfect 10/10 score—the competition was fierce.

“Festivals and events play a vital role in bringing communities together and creating lasting memories,” said Lindsey Shaffer, outgoing SFEA Board Chair. “The SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of organizations that go above and beyond to deliver exceptional experiences. By celebrating these achievements, we are all encouraged to push creative boundaries and maintain the highest standards for the events we bring to our communities.”

2025 Kaleidoscope Award Winners

  • Specialty Award: Best Pop-Up Event – Experience Honest Alley - Para La CULTURA Community Mural, City of Lawrenceville, GA
  • Best Marketing Campaign – ChristmasVille in July, ChristmasVille Rock Hill, SC
  • Best Festival or Event T-Shirt – Meeting Street Music Fest, City of West Columbia, SC
  • Best Event Program or Brochure – Perry International Festival, City of Perry, GA
  • Best Event Photograph – Boynton Beach Pirate Fest, City of Boynton Beach, FL
  • Best Merchandise – Dill Pickle Soda, North Carolina Pickle Festival
  • Best Promotional Poster – Not Your Mother’s Art Fest, Explore Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, GA
  • Best Event Series – ChristmasVille After Dark, ChristmasVille Rock Hill, SC
  • Best Vendor Impact – Todd & Christa Bentley, Sweeter Days Farm, Farm to Table Dinner, Clarksville, TN, Parks and Recreation
  • Best Event Impact Support – Pete Tibbs, Hickman County Emergency Management, National Banana Pudding Festival, Centerville, TN
  • Best Event Within an Event – Youth Culinary Competition: A Taste of Chamblee, Chamblee, GA
  • Best Event Website – Suwanee Beer Fest, Big South Productions, Suwanee, GA
  • Best Festival or Event Video – Surf City Live, Surf City, NC
  • Best Children’s Event – Children’s Festival of Reading, Knox County Public Library, Knoxville, TN
  • Green Initiative Award – Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Cary, NC
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Initiative Award – Multicultural Night, City of Duluth, GA
  • Event Professional of the Year – Katie Sears, City of Chamblee, GA
  • Best New Event – Not Your Mother’s Art Fest, Explore Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, GA

Best Festival or Event by Budget

  • Under $20,000 in Budget

    • Gold: S’mores ‘N Snores, City of Duluth, GA
    • Silver: Snowball Festival, Town of Lexington, SC
    • Bronze: Santa’s Depot, Visit Kingsport, TN

  • Under $75,000 in Budget

    • Gold: The Lawrenceville Boogie, City of Lawrenceville, GA
    • Silver: Perry International Festival, City of Perry, GA
    • Bronze: Christmas on the Cumberland, Clarksville, TN, Parks & Recreation

  • Over $75,000 in Budget

    • Gold: Fun Fest, Visit Kingsport, TN
    • Silver: National Black Bear Festival, Plymouth, NC
    • Bronze: Suwanee Fest, City of Suwanee, GA

About the Kaleidoscope Awards

The Kaleidoscope Awards honor excellence in festival and event planning, marketing, and execution. The name "kaleidoscope" reflects the diverse and vibrant elements that make up festivals and events, symbolized by the colors in the SFEA logo. The awards recognize creativity, originality, media impact, and overall community impact.

A call for entries was posted last fall, encouraging participation from both members and non-members of SFEA. Categories cover nearly every aspect of the industry, including vendors and suppliers, showcasing the best of Southeastern events.

About the Southeast Festivals & Events Association

The Southeast Festivals & Events Association (SFEA) is a 501(c)(6) membership-based organization serving festival and event planners, venues, and industry service providers. Founded in 2009, SFEA strengthens the festivals and events industry in the Southeastern U.S. by providing education, networking, recognition, and professional development opportunities throughout the year.