The Black Swamp Arts Festival Organization Committee was given the Human Relations Commission Honor Roll award at Monday night’s city council meeting.

The award is given quarterly to deserving individuals or groups recognized by their significant efforts to further the betterment of human relations in the community, as well as promote respect for diversity through educational efforts and advocacy, according to the Human Relations Commission.

This year, the Black Swamp Arts Festival Organization was given the award for its work and success with this years’ festival.

Festival Chair Kelli Kling accepted the award and said she was pleased and honored to accept such a prestigious award.

“I am very flattered that we were even considered for this award,” Kling said. “It is nice that all of our hard work is being recognized, and to be in the ranks of such great other entities in our community.”

Kling said the Black Swamp Arts Festival Organization Committee is made up entirely of volunteers.

“These people come together and they benefit the community with all they do,” she said. “When you think about the attention our small town gets from this festival — it’s astonishing.”

Kling said the Festival brings in approximately 60,000 people and thinks it is a good representation of the city’s community because it shows diversity is many different ways between art and music.

“I am just one of the many volunteers that make it such a fun and enjoyable event,” she said. “We’ve worked so hard at establishing such a strong foundation and really we’ve got the process down to a science and it runs like clockwork.”

This will the be 19th year the festival takes place.

Chair of the Human Relations Commission Barbara Keller said the Black Swamp Arts Festival Organization Committee is the “crown jewel” of the city.

“This award is long overdue, I think,” Keller said. “I thank them so much for all of their efforts.”