ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Soaring Eagles Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank announced that donations of $335,103 were raised during the 2024 festival in Royal Oak. The festival attracted 345,000 people throughout Labor Day weekend.
“This year’s Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats not only delivered an unforgettable experience with its blend of art, music and food, but also made a lasting impact on the community,” said Jon Witz, producer of Arts, Beats & Eats in a press release. “The support we’ve seen from attendees, partners and volunteers has been incredible – raising significant funds that will directly benefit dozens of local charities and cultural organizations that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need."
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The festival has donated a total of more than $7.7 million, including the 2024 funds, to charitable organizations since 1998. This year’s donations to Royal Oak based charities is $117,289, bringing the total donations generated since 2010 to more than $1.7 million for the City of Royal Oak.
Prior to this year’s festival, Flagstar Bank branches served as drop-off points for a pre-festival Flagstar Bank Food Drive in partnership with Forgotten Harvest. Festival patrons were asked to donate three or more cans of food or non-perishable items at participating branches for a discount on admission to the festival. More than 2,000 pounds of food was collected through the drive to support those experiencing food insecurity in Metro Detroit.
The donations were handed out Wednesday, Oct. 9, at a media event at Flagstar Bank regional headquarters in Troy.
Core charities shared donation funds totaling $79,075:
- Children’s Center of Wayne Co.
- Children’s Miracle Network
- COTS
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Dutton Farm
- Forgotten Harvest
- Lighthouse of Oakland County
- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
- Soldier’s Angels
- Stagecrafters
- The Rainbow Connection
- Volunteers of America MI, Inc.
Proceeds from beverage sales of $136,374 went to 22 participating charitable and community groups:
- Almost Home Animal Rescue
- American Legion Post 253
- Berkley Bears Football Boosters
- Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit
- BuildOn International Academy
- Detroit Roller Derby
- Great Lakes Expungement Network
- Ferndale Schools Fine Arts Boosters
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Precision Patriots of Oakland County
- Ray & Phyllis Foundation
- ReLeaf Michigan, Inc.
- Royal Oak High School Cheer
- Royal Oak High Cross Country
- Royal Oak High School Model UN
- Royal Oak High PTSA-SANP
- Royal Oak Titans Football Team
- St. Paul Lutheran Church & School
- Team Happy Feet
- Troop 308 Commerce Masonic Lodge #121
- Troy Youth Hockey Association
- Vista Maria
A total of $11,560 was donated by the festival to First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Royal Oak First United Methodist Church and St. Mary Catholic Church for parking lots.
Cultural entertainment organizations received $6,750. Recipients in this category included:
- Ballet Folklorico Moyocoyani Izel
- Ensemble Hanabi
- Michigan Science Center
- Michigan Taiwanese American Organization
- Rockin’ Raaga Indian Dance Troupe
Donations to Open Hands Pantry in Royal Oak totaled $4,000, thanks to collaborations with Baker College and Kroger.
More than two dozen charitable organizations and community groups also received contributions totaling $97,343. These included:
- ABE on 5th–Royal Oak Civic Foundation Event
- American Cancer Society
- American Legion Post 253
- BHW Foundation
- Common Ground Sanctuary
- Disabled American Veterans
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- FernCare Free Clinic
- John Dingell VA Medical Center
- Judson Center
- Kroger-Cereal Drive
- Make A Wish
- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
- Oakland Schools PTA
- Royal Oak Civic Foundation
- Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
- Royal Oak Historical Society
- Royal Oak Middle School PTA
- Royal Oak Police Donation Fund
- Royal Oak Pride
- Royal Oak Schools
- Royal Oak Symphony
- Royal Oak YMCA
- Royal Oak Youth Assistance
- Stagecrafters
- Sunflowers Christian Preschool
- Take One
- Troy High School Athletic Boosters
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan
- VFW Acorn Post
The Labor Day festival was among the top 10 most attended festivals in its 27-year history.