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Help our Summerfest continue on
Published Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Like many entities these days, due to shrinking revenues and a lack of volunteers, Summerfest, the annual summer festival in Fergus Falls, could be in jeopardy.
Let’s hope community members step up and allow it to continue.
Organizers say Summerfest had a decrease in sponsorship revenue in 2008, likely due to local businesses feeling the economic pinch. It’s hard to blame past sponsors if their bottom line won’t allow them to contribute.
Revenues aside, committee members say the lack of volunteers is a primary reason why the festival is in jeopardy. Though the eight-member volunteer committee has served admirably, they can only do so much, especially when it comes to fundraising. Additional volunteers could find new ways to raise funds, as well as creative methods of saving money.
Summerfest is an excellent event that draws in lake residents, generates money for the local economy, and shows off Fergus Falls as a great place to live. Local residents who want Summerfest to continue need to step up.
If they don’t, there likely will be a large, unwanted gap in the summer activities schedule next year.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
time for the FFDJ to step up and be a major sponser. also is $25 for parade fee that high being alot of the floats are rolling ads for local businesses.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sell buttons for $5.00 and have drawings for door prizes using the number code off the buttons. It may not bring in $5000.00 dollars, but it would help. Have a schedule of events inserted in the newspaper and/or mailed out using bulk mail. Sell ads for the schedule/program to help cover printing and mailing costs. That would get the word out to more people what's going on. Try to get the Eagle's, VFW, & American Legion involved.
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just like Scandinvian Days, it's wearing out. I don't know what but something else has to take its place. Any other baby-boomers remember WINTER WONDERLAND??
Posted by Zepherin (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Winter Wonderland was great. The Black Knights, indoor variety show, outdoor parade in the crisp weather, and fun times......
Posted by betterworld (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on.How much longer can we ask the local businesses to fundraise for this, fundraise for that, give give give. Our local businesses give more money for more causes; isn't it time to think about moving on without SummerFest? It hasn't been good for about four years, for one thing, anybody who sells anything (mostly junk) can get a booth, there are no more artisans that even bother to come with all the other junk being sold. Also, volunteers are needed. Yes. They are needed everywhere. How much can we do? We have a ton of events that we are expected to volunteer for, spend money on, buy, support....good grief. Enough already. Just like a business would do, if Summerfest can't support itself, close it down.
Posted by wwjdt (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some great ideas here, but what is also needed is the volunteers to do the tasks.
The citizens who haven't volunteered before need to step up.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, Josephine. I remember Winter Wonderland Days. Jack Brush gave daily clues for finding the hidden medallion somewhere in the City. The sold buttons and had drawings of the button I.D. number for door prises. I guess "Frostbite Festival" replaced it.
Posted by brighteyes (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
summerfest is lame and always has been since i can remember. the economy is really in a pinch, and yet its expected that citizens need to "step up"? lemme tell you something, when it comes to forking out cash, on the priority scale--bills, mortgage, milk. Summerfest donation? Dead last.
Posted by bobby (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like we could use some community organization here. I have heard of such a person,from the Chicago area. I believe the media has heard and preached his message also. He could help us, take from those that have and give to those that have not. They call him the great community organizer Obama. Or another name for this is redistribution of wealth.
Posted by betterworld (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, right. Resdistibute the wealth from greedy politicians, the White House, oil barrons, PAC leaders and the pharmacuetical companies back to the people who paid the taxes that made them rich to start with.
Barrack Obama wants to hold the money-holders and decision-makers in this country responsible for the corruption of the last 8 years and accountable for their profits. I find that totally refreshing.
Posted by ajohnsonx (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dont complain unless you have a solution.
Posted by ajohnsonx (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gumball, you should sign up to voulnteer your suggestions
Posted by bobby (anonymous) on October 19, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
betterworld refreshing ? or socialism.
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