Greenville’s food, music and wine festival celebrates 19 years
euphoria has provided a feast of funding for local nonprofits, too
It is a feast for the senses. Food, music and good vibes abound at euphoria each fall through creativity, approachable elegance and a mission that matters.
Morgan Allen, Executive Director of euphoria, says the festival, started by restauranteur Carl Sobocinski and musician Edward McCain, remains true to its mission after 19 years of service. The festival, coming Sept. 19 – 22, benefits local charities through direct grants from its nonprofit organization, Local Boys Do Good (LBDG).
Indeed, they do.
“They really just wanted to have something that would promote Greenville but really focused on giving money back to the community,” Allen says.
That first festival in 2006 started with a small group and high hopes, according to Allen. It resulted in about $20,000 for local charities – impressive, but just the start of the big things to come.
“I think they really realized then that it’s also an opportunity to not only give back financially to the community, but make an economic impact as well,” Allen says. “That started becoming their focus over the next couple of years as the festival grew and they got staff.”
In 2022, euphoria had an economic impact of $4.8 million. And last year’s event generated enough money to fund grants in record amounts, all of which fit the parameters of LBDG’s mission to fund initiatives that support sustenance to those in need, educate through music or performing arts, aid children and support the food and beverage industry with mental health support and emergency assistance for workers facing unanticipated crises.