Hi, I’m Darryl Parker. I’ve produced more than 27 festivals over the last 16 years, from music and craft beer to bourbon and cultural festivals. I help first-time festival founders, nonprofits using festivals as fundraisers, and communities trying to build culture and tourism turn their ideas into events that succeed.

When I moved back home to Oxford, MS, I noticed something was missing. Cities I’d lived in were full of music and cultural festivals, but my hometown had very little. I decided to start a music festival to bring the community together and give artists a platform to showcase their talents.

The road wasn’t easy. Getting the City of Oxford to approve permits and meet regulations was a huge challenge. I realized the outdoor model wouldn’t fly, so I redesigned the festival indoors across 9 different venues, working with the rules rather than against them. When the community came out to support the event—and artists were thrilled to finally have a stage—I knew I had created something that really worked. 

Everyone kept telling me, “Do this again next year,” and that’s when I realized this wasn’t a one-off—I had found a repeatable way to build festivals. 

I know first-time festival founders often feel overwhelmed, because they’ve never done it before. I’ve been there. That’s why I help them design and execute plays to make their festival a success. The result? They feel pride and a sense of accomplishment, knowing they created something meaningful for their community.

Without guidance, trying to go it alone often means the festival never launches, leaving the opportunity—and the excitement, culture, and connection—lost. I help creators avoid that trap and bring their festival vision to life, every time.

If you want to turn your festival idea into a successful, celebrated event, I can show you how to get there—step by step.