Event Explorer

Honoring the Dead, Inspiring the Living — Mesa’s Día de los Muertos

The Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center began with a few altars and a dream of bringing people together. Now, it’s one of Arizona’s most beloved celebrations of life and memory. Host Daniel Roth sits down with Ginny Montano to explore how the tradition grew, what makes it special, and why it matters today.
#DiaDeLosMuertos #MesaArtsCenter #EventExplorer #FestivalCulture #ArizonaEvents #CelebrateLife #Community #ArtsAndCulture #Podcast #CulturalHeritage #MesaAZ

Halloween by the Sea: The Story of Rehoboth’s Sea Witch Festival with Carol Everhart

Every October, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware comes alive with Halloween fun by the sea. Costumes, parades, live music, and a smiling green witch fill the boardwalk as the Sea Witch Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary.
In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth talks with founder Carol Everhart, President and CEO of the Rehoboth Beach–Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, about how this seaside celebration grew from a simple idea into one of the East Coast’s most beloved fall traditions. From the first parade to the dog costumes and family memories that keep people coming back year after year, it’s Halloween with a coastal twist — and a community story that keeps getting better.
🎃 Learn more at beach-fun.com | eventexp.org
#SeaWitchFestival #RehobothBeach #Halloween2025 #FallFestivals #HalloweenEvents #FamilyTravel #ThingsToDoInDelaware #HalloweenFun #FallGetaway #EventExplorer #SpookySeason #Festivals #FamilyFriendly #TravelPodcast #WeekendTrips #AutumnVibes #HalloweenByTheSea #ExploreDelaware #FallEvents #PodcastShow

On Air: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with Tom Garrity

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in the world and one of the most photographed. Each October, more than half a million people gather before dawn to watch hundreds of hot air balloons rise into the New Mexico sky.
In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth is joined by Tom Garrity, founder and president of The Garrity Group and one of the Fiesta’s best representatives for nearly three decades. Together they explore the history of the event, what it takes to launch 500 balloons each morning, the role of volunteers and chase crews, and why breakfast burritos are as much a tradition as the balloons themselves.
If you’re planning to go, the 2025 Balloon Fiesta runs October 4–12, with October 3–11, 2026 already on the calendar. Details at balloonfiesta.com.

Game, Set, Michigan: Cranbrook Tennis Classic with Alex Demuth

What does it take to launch a professional tennis tournament — from scratch?
In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth sits down with Alex Demuth, Tournament Director of the Cranbrook Tennis Classic, an ATP Challenger Tour event hosted on the campus of Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Now entering its third year, the tournament draws international players — some of them Grand Slam veterans — and delivers world-class hospitality for athletes and fans alike. But it's not just about the tennis. Run by the nonprofit Tennis Forward, all proceeds support the Palmer Park Tennis Academy in Detroit, helping create new pathways for young athletes.
Alex shares how the event started, what makes it one of the top-rated Challenger tournaments in the world, how they attract global talent, and why hospitality, community, and vision matter just as much as the matches.
#tennis #events #sportsbusiness #atpchallenger #cranbrooktennis #eventexplorer #detroit #podcast

A Century in Bloom - Portland Rose Festival with Jeremy Emerson

Since 1907, the Portland Rose Festival has brought the city together with parades, dragon boats, fireworks, and flowers - lots of flowers. In this episode, Event Explorer host Daniel Roth speaks with Jeremy Emerson, incoming President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, about what it takes to keep this tradition relevant, inclusive, and uniquely Portland.
From milk carton boat races to the Grand Floral Parade, we explore the history, quirks, and civic heart behind one of America’s most iconic city festivals and how events like this can help revitalize a city and reflect its evolving identity.
Follow or rate Event Explorer on your favorite podcast platform, and share your festival stories with Daniel at daniel@eventexp.org.
🎟️ Learn more at rosefestival.org📍 Stream all episodes at eventexp.org
#PortlandRoseFestival #Podcast #FestivalCulture #Parades #PortlandEvents #EventProfs #CityCelebration #CivicPride #Events

Paris 2024: Rethinking How the Olympics Are Built with Stéphanie André

The Olympics bring the world together through sport, celebration, and culture. But they also raise important questions about how large-scale events are produced, powered, and made accessible to everyone.
In this episode, Daniel Roth talks with Stéphanie André, a producer and advisor who played a key role in shaping the sustainability and accessibility efforts for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. From energy systems along the Seine to designing safe, inclusive spaces for athletes and spectators, she shares how big ideas were put into practice.
For anyone working in events, this conversation offers clear examples of what it means to create experiences that are responsible, inclusive, and built to last.
#events #sustainability #paris2024 #olympics #olympicgames #sports #sportsmanagement #podcast #sportspodcast #accesibility #paralympics

Crafting Canadian Culture at Riverfest Elora with Spencer Shewen

What happens when world-class music meets small-town magic? Spencer Shewen, the creative force behind Riverfest Elora and Mariposa Folk Festival, joins host Daniel Roth to talk about building unforgettable festival experiences in the heart of Ontario. From curating diverse, high-energy lineups to keeping things rooted in local culture, Spencer shares how Riverfest has grown into one of Canada’s most beloved summer events.
They dive into the legacy of founder Marilyn Koop, the evolution of what “folk” means today, and how festivals are reshaping the cultural identity of towns like Elora and Orillia. Whether you're a music fan, festival producer, or just looking for your next summer adventure, this episode brings the energy.
#RiverfestElora #MariposaFolkFestival #EventExplorer #FestivalSeason #LiveMusicVibes #CanadianFestivals #CreativeDirector #SmallTownBigSound #MusicDiscovery #CulturalEvents

Memphis in May: A City Welcoming the World

What started as a way to bring Memphis together has become one of the most impactful civic festivals in the U.S. In this episode, Daniel talks with Kevin Grothe, Executive Vice President of Memphis in May International Festival, about how this month-long celebration has grown into a global gathering, from barbecue competitions and music festivals to cultural exchanges and international business connections.
Kevin shares how the festival unites the city, fuels tourism and economic growth, and evolves year after year. Plus, we get a look ahead at what’s in store for the 50th anniversary and the return of the Beale Street Music Festival in 2026.
 Subscribe, leave a review, and send your festival ideas to daniel@eventexp.org
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Anchored in Tradition: Windjammer Days with Mark Gimbel and Bruce White

Every summer, Boothbay Harbor, Maine comes alive with Windjammer Days — a weeklong celebration of maritime heritage filled with schooners, vintage boats, lobster races, codfish relays, and fireworks over the water. In this episode, Daniel talks with Mark Gimbel and Bruce White, two local leaders who helped grow the festival into what it is today. From the history of tall ships to the joy of tug-of-war across the harbor, this is a look at how a small town throws a big party rooted in tradition, community, and coastal charm.
Subscribe to Event Explorer and send us your favorite festivals to cover at daniel@eventexp.org.
#WindjammerDays #BoothbayHarbor #FestivalPodcast #SailingLife #MaritimeHeritage #EventExplorer #SummerFestivals #TallShips #MaineEvents #ExploreMore

eSports Event Excellence with Sarah Kneller

Sarah Kneller didn’t set out to become a leader in esports, but once she got pulled in, she helped shape it. From wrangling chaos at the first International Dota 2 tournament to launching Gamers & Guardians for military communities, she’s been at the frontlines of what digital-first events can do.
In this episode, we talk about what makes an event feel real, even when it’s happening online. Sarah shares how broadcast, game design, and emotional connection all come together in the spaces she builds. And why, sometimes, a weekly game night can mean a whole lot more than just a game.
This one’s about events, purpose, connection, and rethinking how we gather.
Follow Gamers & Guardians on Twitch and check out more at augustinteractive.gg. To stay in the loop or share your story, head to eventexp.org.