Comedy festival in Norfolk announces title sponsor and some special guests

A ventriloquist, a Norfolk native with a famous last name, one of David Letterman’s favorite female comedians and a title sponsor to boot.
All of that out of one reception Wednesday in Norfolk, Neb..

The reception offered the opportunity to provide an update on plans for the 2010 Viaero Great American Comedy Festival. It will be held June 16-20, 2010, in Norfolk as a way to honor the legacy of the late Johnny Carson, who grew up in Norfolk.

Viaero Wireless was revealed as the title sponsor for the 2010 festival. The wireless company has agreed to be the lead financial sponsor of the festival and provide assistance with marketing efforts.

Frank DiRico, Viaero owner and president, said, "Viaero Wireless is honored to become the title sponsor of the Viaero Great American comedy Festival. What a tribute to Norfolk that this wonderful event in honor of Nebraska's own Johnny Carson, is held right here in his hometown.”

DiRico said Viaero has agreed to help provide financial stability for the 3-year-old festival so it can continue to grow and become the world-class event that brings ever-increasing audiences from all over to Norfolk.

“We're proud to be one of the companies and growing list of individuals dedicated to helping this great event," he added.

 Viaero intends to take an active role in marketing the festival through television commercials, newspaper ads, billboards and radio to population areas outside of Norfolk. The company also plans special promotions and will be working side by side with the festival committee to sell tickets and sponsorships.

  "One of the reasons Viaero was so anxious to be part of this festival is that we have seen the outstanding community spirit in Norfolk and with our investments here in stores and services we're here to stay," DiRico said.  "We offer nationwide coverage, but our roots are planted firmly in the Midwest, just as Johnny's were, and the core values of honesty, hard work and dedication represented by this community are shared by Viaero."

Kent Warneke, chairman of the comedy festival, said he and other festival organizers are thrilled to have Viaero Wireless come on board.

“Since we started the festival three years ago, our hope is always to make it more than just a local festival. We want to make it an event that attracts individuals from throughout the Midwest and beyond. Viaero’s presence will go a long way in helping us accomplish that,” Warneke said.

Also receiving special recognition at the festival will be Dick Carson, the brother of the late Johnny Carson, for his distinguished career as a television director. Dick Carson won five Emmy awards and was nominated 11 times for his work directing shows such as “The Tonight Show,” “Wheel of Fortune” and the “Merv Griffin Show.”

The festival also will feature Taylor Mason, who will entertain audiences with his comedy and ventriloquism skills, as well as Wendy Liebman, one of David Letterman’s favorite comics who will be making a return appearance to Norfolk for the 2010 festival.

A headliner for the Saturday, June 19, festival performance has yet to be announced. That is the evening when the finals of the festival’s stand-up comedy competition will be held, awarding a $5,000 top prize to the comedian who tops 19 other contestants. They were selected to participate after auditions throughout the nation by Eddie Brill, the talent coordinator for David Letterman who serves as the producer of the festival in Norfolk.

The identities of the 2010 comedy legend award recipients also will be announced in the coming days. Previous recipients were Dick Cavett and Bill Dana, who popularized the Jose Jimenez character.

For more information, go to www.greatamericancomedyfestival.com