Entertainment events bring visitors to Chesco, Montco

Chester and Montgomery counties each hosted major entertainment events in 2018 — Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA and the Citadel Country Spirit USA Music festival — events hosted by each county’s tourism and convention boards.

The first event was brought to Montgomery County by the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board — a six week run of Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA. The show ran from July 12 through Aug. 19.

The announcement about the multi-week engagement of Cirque du Soleil came in October 2017. Plans called for the Cirque’s tent to be set up at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.

While Cirque du Soleil had previously appeared in the greater Philadelphia area before, this summer’s engagement was the first time the popular attraction made a visit to Montgomery County.

By early July 2018, the stage was literally set for Cirque du Soleil’s debut. The show’s Big Top was raised about one week before opening night on the grounds of the Expo Center at Oaks.

“The push of the Big Top is a milestone for us because it’s the way we say, ‘hey, we have arrived in your city,’” noted company manager Yannick Spierkel at the time.

A crew of 60 workers manually lifted the poles that raised the Big Top, which could be seen from Route 422. In addition to the main tent, the touring VOLTA village included a front-of-the-house tent, a customer service tent, artistic tents to support the cast and crew, an office trailer and mobile kitchen.

Halfway through its six-week engagement, show organizers and Montgomery County tourism officials were pleased with how things were going.

Spierkel said the economic impact of VOLTA could range between $14 million and $20 million, based on results in other communities where Cirque du Soleil performed.

Spierkel added that locally, Cirque du Soleil would spend about $2 million — in staff, products, services and lodging.

Where it can, Spierkel said Cirque du Soleil hires local workers — between 80 to 100 each day.

“This event really puts Montgomery County on the map for holding a large scale entertainment event. This was unique. It’s great to see we can pull this off,” Ed Harris, Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board

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DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO The Citadel Country Spirit USA Music Festival at Ludwig’s Corner show grounds in August was one of two major entertainment events in Chester and Montgomery counties in 2018. Among the three headliner performers was Brad Paisley. A total of 20 performers took the stage during the three-day festival in August.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Fans listen to the music of High Valley on the main stage at the 2018 Citadel Country Spirit USA Festival at Ludwig’s Corner show grounds in August.