Riverfest 2000! |
The Locust Fork River Festival 2000 ANOTHER SUCCESS thanks to scads of people lending their gifts of clear thinking, willing hearts, able-to-ailing bodies, and high spirits. One of the best parts of the Locust Fork River Festival for me is the fun we have pulling together for our river. Attendance was about the same as last year - around 1,000. The fearless coordinator didn't think of clickers at the gate to number heads exactly. But more intangibly -- and subjectively: everywhere I looked people were having fun. The weather was terrific, the booths a great mix, the music downhome and laid back, lots of good food, and the waterfront a big hit, as always. Flow seemed smooth overall.
The Learning Fair had 13 booths this year, and festival-goers were to visit booths and get stamped for a chance on a canoe. These exhibits on various environmental/water quality issues are to me to very heart of the festival. We want everybody to have fun, including fun learning about how to take good care of our river. One exhibitor said he didn't offer to stamp until his captive's "eyes were glazing over." Now that's the spirit!
On the tangible side, we earned over $7,000. Big earners were gate, food and T shirts/raffles,in that order. Expenses, yet to total, will come between $5-6,000. Sponsorships totaled over $13,000 thanks to some incredible gathering by certain board members whose names remain classified. Our bank account now boasts $19,000, with $6,500 earmarked for payroll (none at present) and $2,300 for a resource center. At our frugal rate, we can do a heap o' educating for our money.
Maybe you have suggestions for improvements? Let's hear, please. Send thoughts to Nancy Jackson: njackson7@juno.com; or 205-429-3090; or 550 Red Maple Rd., Blountsville, AL 35031. Thanks for taking time to comment. In sum, the high quality of volunteers made for a high-quality community event. Heartfelt appreciation to each and every one who pulled on the team this year: with a healthy river and watershed we all win! Gratefully, Nancy Jackson, festival 2000 coordinator.
Glen Tolbert and friends entertain...
The McWane Center demos the importance of healthy rivers...
Basket weaving demo...
Waterfront canoe rides...
Speaking of canoe rides.... This year's canoe winners are Melissa Garrard of Glencoe, AL and Marion Renneker of Birmingham, AL! Congratulations to these folks and happy paddling!
This page was last updated Sunday, June 18, 2000
Black and white photography by Beth Maynor Young. These
photographs may not be reproduced without the artist's consent.
Background image by Elizabeth Lichtenstein, University
of Baltimore School of Communications Design.
