If you live in the Fox Cities and didn’t hear some fabulous original music this past weekend, you have no one to blame but yourself.

More than 100 artists descended on downtown Appleton to perform in the first-ever Mile of Music. Performances took place in more than 30 venues including the Lawrence University Chapel, Spat’s, Cleo’s, The Queen Bee and Houdini Plaza. Impromptu jam sessions happened on the sidewalk.

Co-founders Dave Willems and Cory Chisel pulled off the planning of this unique event in only three months.

Willems is an AEF communications committee member and former board member. In an interview with Post-Crescent Media he called the four-day festival “Amazing. I think probably as well as we could have expected and probably more than Cory (Chisel) expected, I think. He is blown away by the community’s response and he’s excited that people have embraced it so much because it means we’ve got this great future.”

As if more than 100 original artists playing (mostly) free concerts for four days wasn’t enough, proceeds from this inaugural event are benefiting two local nonprofit causes.

1. Mile of Music Education Fund within the Appleton Education Foundation that will specifically fund more music opportunities within the Appleton public schools

2. Creative Downtown Fund to provide seed money for projects that help color our creative economy and keep our Downtown Appleton strong, vibrant and creative

To make your own contribution to the Mile of Music Education Fund, visit our secure giving page hosted by the Community Foundation. Type “Mile of Music” in the comments.

You may remember Appleton North grad Chisel performed at the AEF’s spring Celebrate Education event. Students from his alma mater, Huntley Elementary, sang “Over Jordan” with him. Did you miss it? Check out the video.

Read and watch more Mile of Music media coverage here.