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Festivals Information

We will be asking for volunteers to step forward to be committee chairs to assist in the preparation of the "Bollinger County Fair". This type of event cannot be prepared in 3 months and without dedicated volunteers coming forth, it will be impossible for the Chamber to host the Fair for 2009. We have held 2 meetings so far to begin preparation for the Fair in October and attendance has been very low (3 people at each meeting).

Fall Festival
October 2nd and 3rd, 2009
Location: Marble Hill Ball Park

03-25-2009

Chamber Members,

First of all let me apoligize for not being able to attend the Chamber meeting last Wednesday.

Needless to say, I had meetings that pertained to the successful operation of my business.

I have heard the minutes of the meeting and Jane handled the meeting quite successfully. Thank you Jane for being there and stepping in for myself and Ron.

I have in fact done "my homework" as well on dates of events happening in the area. I have attached a link for the members to view pertaining to the Alterburg Fair. www.perryvillemo.com

I made the suggestion to change the date at the February meeting to move the date after attending the Missouri Fairs and Festivals Conference in January and becoming aware of the Altenburg Fair dates being a week later this year due to Labor Day. Those at the February meeting expressed the same concerns as I and therefore led to a vote to change the date.

I understand the Cat Ranch prepares their event a year in advance, and wish the Chamber had the same ability to prepare the Festival/Fair. Unfortunatelly, we do not have the commitments from local individuals to get this task accomplished. I praise the Cat Ranch for their success with dedicated volunteers.

I feel Bollinger County would benefit from more events going on throughout the County that are not on the same weekend. Having the Fair the following weekend of the Cat Ranch Art Guild would allow more visitors to visit the County. This would also allow the Art Guild's artrist/vendors to possibly participate in the Fair as well. This would allow double exposure for the Art Guild and increase our tourism vs "commiting suicide".

The Fair/Festival indeed takes months of preparation to plan for success. It also requires committees to aid with the preparation. With no commitments from volunteers for committees, I have NOT had the opportunity to schedule or book events or carnival rides for the upcoming Fair. With this being said, there very well might NOT be a major concern as to "when" the Fair is held.

I scheduled, announced and advertised a pre-planning festival meeting in October 2008 to try to gain a jump on 2009's festival with no success in attendance. I have also held two Fall Festival/Fair meetings, one in January and February, again with little success in attendance which were both pre-scheduled, announced and advertised.

I am sure the majority of you can empathize with me on the disappointment I feel from the lack of interest and motivation shown.

I am open for suggestions/comments from anyone within or outside of the membership as to how to keep or build motivation for the success of the Bollinger County Fair.

Sincerely,
 

Donnia M. Mayfield

 2009 Chamber President