By Kristi Schweitzer | Echo
"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man," James Dean once said.
The iconic symbol of youth and rebellion lives again. Fifty-eight years after James Dean's death at the age of 24, the "rebel without a cause" is still celebrated by fans both around the world and right here in his home state.
The three-day-long 38th annual James Dean Festival in Fairmount, Indiana kicked off Thursday, Sept. 26 with a pre-show and continues through Sunday, Sept. 29.
Thirty-thousand to 40,000 fans from all over the country will flood Dean's small hometown to enjoy the 50s themed festival.
The festival is sponsored by the Fairmount Historical Museum. All proceeds from the event go to the museum. The museum itself is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization and receives no federal or state revenue.
"Whatever money we make on the festival goes to gas and electrical bills," said Gale Hikade, president of the Fairmount Historical Museum.
The festival contains an array of events including a daily James Dean movie showing for each of his three films, 50s Dance and Costume Contest, Grand Parade, James Dean Look-Alike Contest and more. There will also be a weekend-long car show, the 34th annual James Dean Run, consisting of 1,500 to 1,700 classic cars.
Saturday is the most popular day due to the dance, costume, and look-alike contests, according to Hikade.
Throughout the festival, attendees can peruse the town's street fair and enjoy Museum Days at the Fairmount Historical Museum.
To accommodate visiting fans during Museum Days, hours are extended from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the festival."We enjoy working here because we meet people from all over the world," said Joni Rich, a volunteer at the Fairmount Historical Museum. "I've had people waiting down the block to get in because it's busy."
The James Dean Gallery is also involved in the festival with doors open for fans to tour and shop each day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The James Dean Remembered Fan Club will have its table out in the Gallery's front lawn with raffle prizes, membership applications and issues of the Deanzine fan club magazine for sale.
"I like the fact that the James Dean legacy brings people together every year and gets people excited," said Taylor freshman Hannah Sisson, a James Dean enthusiast. Sisson has attended the festival for the past five years, and plans to go again this year.
Sisson isn't alone in her enthusiasm. Freshman Andrew Davalos, an art major, is an avid fan and also plans on going to the festival."(Dean) had a vision for his life that he felt and tried to obtain at all cost. He was very driven, figuratively and literally," said Davalos.
The festival ends Sunday night, but a memorial service for Dean will commence Monday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at Back Creek Friends Church.
For more information on the festival or schedule of events, call the Fairmount Historical Museum at 765-948-455 or visit them online at jamesdeanartifacts.com.
