It’s Complicated [A Letter From The Editor]

Midwestern identity is constantly stunted by a sentimental Midwest that really doesn't exist. As Midwesterners, we are as responsible as the rest of the country is for the picture people have painted in their minds. You know the one—it’s a bunch of white people who are too polite to take the last helping of hot dish and saying things like “ope!” when they drop something on the ground.

The Midwest (or the North or whatever we’re calling it these days) has come to be defined by those nostalgic, heartland-shaped glasses, rather than the harsher realities that are not always nice. I'm as guilty as anyone of glossing over difficult things in favor of seeing the region through the Northwoods voyageur lens or the hipster coffee shop lens or one of the many other lenses through which we choose to view ourselves.

I have always wanted to see the best in this place. That is, in fact, why I started The Midwestival back in 2014—to demonstrate that this is a place worth exploring and worth knowing. In the process, I discovered a lot of other people also felt the same pride in this region. It was thrilling to see such a strong community grow so quickly around this project and to work with so many incredible contributors who have shared their stories and time and talents.

After the 2016 election when several Midwestern states helped elect Trump (all of them except Illinois and Minnesota), I struggled in more ways than one. To be frank, I lost faith in almost everything, including this project. The Midwestival had always been a labor of love, but suddenly the romance was dead.

(That sounds so fucking dramatic in comparison to actual hard things, but I was rocked.)

Two years have flown by and the world is different. I’m different (I have a baby now, you guys—it wasn’t all gloom and doom over here!). With the help of many encouraging friends and family members, I’m starting to find focus again and see how The Midwestival can do some good, and I’m very excited about it.

So, The Midwestival is back.

I’m ready to dust the cobwebs off this internet house and start working once again on the very complicated relationship that I (and many of us) have with this region.

Though it may be a slow burn as we get things going, I’m fired up for v2.0 in a big way. Alongside the travel adventures and the dad jokes you know and love on Instagram, we’re also going to share stories about the amazing people who are working hard to fix the things that are broken in our region.

To do this right, We need a little help.

We need you to actually help us make good on this recommitment. I have a helluva time asking for help (let alone time and/or money help), but I’m asking it of you because you made it all the way to the end and that must mean something, right?

1. The Midwestival needs contributors—writers, photographers or other types of storytellers interested in tackling regional culture, travel, good causes, etc. If you are interested in contributing content or just have some interesting ideas/hopes/dreams for how this community could grow, please email me at annie@themidwestival.com.

2. The Midwestival needs sponsors—brands, companies and organizations that get it and are willing to spend their marketing dollars to underwrite stories that matter. Our community is amazing and we’re really protective of it when it comes to partnerships, but if you think your brand aligns with ours and you’re interested in working together, please email me at annie@themidwestival.com.

You in or what?