By Ron VandenBoom
Its a lot of work and pressure being a chairwoman for Havre Festival Days, but that wont stop this years co-chairs from doing it again after theyve had a few years to recuperate that is.
We were good friends, now were co-chairs, said Teresa Miller with a tongue-in-cheek smile on her face.
Its her fault, she is the one that got asked to do it and she came over and begged me to do it, Miller said.
Thats right its all my fault cause I made her be my co-chair I begged her actually, I begged her, Tammy Nelson said, continuing the ruse.
The two co-chairs actually are still friends and if they have had any disagreements over the last several weeks it certainly isnt noticeable in the finished product.
Festival Days will be jam-packed with an endless stream of activities, exhibits, shows and even a parade.
Miller said when she first became a co-chair several people had told her they should try something different this year. But after looking at the list of activities she didnt know what could have been added.
Theres really something for everybody, she said. That includes free food and free entertainment ... so much going on that theres got to be something in those three days for all.
Nelson agrees.
We welcome everybody to Festival Days and encourage them to take in whatever they can and whatever theres time for and enjoy themselves, she said. Theres a lot of really fun things to do this weekend and I hope everybody can come and enjoy at least a part of it.
Enjoying the festivities is not something Nelson and Miller expect to find much time to do now that theyre co-chairs. Instead they expect their weekend will consist of roaming from one event to another making sure everything runs smoothly. Its not a position Miller said shes used to.
Im usually the one sitting on the sidelines watching the parade go by or Im up at the craft sale buying things, she said.
Its all part of a learning process. A process that Nelson said was part of the reason she became involved in the first place.
Its kind of frustrating, but its a lot of fun, she said. Its a lot of work, but they have a lot of stuff already done for you.
Miller echoed Nelson when she said, You really come to appreciate the people that are out there and do volunteer their time, that do try to make these things work.
Miller said you dont see it until youre right there in the background with them.
The frustrations Nelson refers to are primarily a matter of finding people or organizations to help with certain events.
Some of the service groups are getting smaller and dont have the people they used to, Miller said.
She points to the Havre High School Key Club, the Montana National Guard, as examples of groups that stepped forward this year to help with the pancake breakfast and/or the parade.
Other events are handled by the members sponsoring the event the Demo Derby is organized by E-1 Towing and the quilt show is done by the ladies who do the quilts, and so forth, Miller said.
Nelson and Miller agree their job has been a fun experience despite the minor complications. They agree that picking the Festival Days theme and choosing the pictures to be used on the poster, and selecting the grand marshals for the parade were part of what made the experience special.
But the real question is, would they be willing to do it again next year?
Not right away, Nelson said. I really enjoyed it, but I wouldnt want to do it year after year.
Miller agrees. I would like to wait before doing it again.
