OFEA Ovation! Awards
Oregon Festival and Events Association celebrates the best of the best each year with our Ovation! Awards.
Our awards ceremony, which takes place at the annual conference every Spring, shines a light on fairs, festivals, and events of all kinds. We also recognize sponsors, suppliers, and volunteers that we couldn't succeed without.
Ovation! Award categories include:
Festival of the Year (Large)
With an expense budget $150,000 and up OR over 40,000 attendees. This nomination has no limits other than falling within the two budget and attendance categories.
Festival of the Year (Small)
With an expense budget under $150,000 (unless you have 40,000 or more attendees, in which case see above category) this nomination has no limits other than falling within the budget and attendance categories.
Hidden Gem
This is for the small but worthy events with under 1,000 attendees that makes an impact on a community and is worth bragging about.
Music Festival or Event of the Year
This category is for an event with a music focus or for an exceptional music program within a larger festival or event that created substantial value, attraction or media coverage.
Fundraising Event of the Year
Most festivals fall within this category and we will be looking for how much was raised in relation to the goals and effort by staff or volunteers as well as creative new ways to raise much needed funds and unique promotional ideas.
Impact Award
This category is for an event that had a great and unique impact culturally or financially on a community. For festivals and events whose theme is based on promoting specific culture, ethnicity or heritage or even multiples of these categories.
Most Creative Marketing Piece or Campaign
When the same old advertising just doesn’t work this is for the unique, effective promotions your event implemented to accomplish your goals.
Innovation Award
This category honors the innovative ideas that have breathed new life into events through renewal, reimagining, reworking, or adaptation. We’re seeking creative executions and unique approaches that break the mold and truly worked. Show us how you thought outside the box and delivered a standout experience!
The WOW Factor Award
The WOW Factor Award is for the events that really stand out, from the moment your guests arrive and throughout your venue. Did your WOW efforts help grow your event, increase social media mentions and just looked cool? This is the Award for you. Created in honor and in memory of one of the masters at the craft, Katie Nooshazar.
Sponsor of the Year
Not just a great sponsor for cash, but one that adds value through creative promotions, staff involvement and collaboration with your event. The value of statewide recognition for your sponsor? Priceless! All nominated sponsors will be named and recognized at the annual conference.
Supplier of the Year
Do you have a service member or event supplier that always goes above and beyond the call of duty for you? One that partners with you for your success? We want to meet them and honor them with this award. All nominated suppliers will be named and recognized at the annual conference.
Oregon Volunteer of the Year (Must be submitted by a member organization)
Recognizes an individual who has given dedicated service to a festival or event. Each member organization is invited to submit one nominee who will be recognized with a certificate as their event's volunteer of the year. One nominee will also be chosen to receive statewide recognition. All nominated volunteers will be named and recognized at the annual conference.
2025 Ovation! Nominations are OPEN
Amazing events are happening across Oregon in 2025—and we want to hear about yours! Nominate your events, sponsors, suppliers, and volunteers for an OFEA Ovation! Award and help us recognize the outstanding work happening behind the curtain. No event is too small. Use the buttons below to submit your nomination or download the forms.
Deadline to nominate: January 12, 2026
Winners will be announced at our Ovations! Dinner on February 27, 2026 at our annual conference in Seaside.
Download Forms:
Send questions to: members@oregonfestivals.org