After 12 years, it's time to step down from July 4th fest

As year 12 is shaping up for the Havre Fourth of July Festival, the day promises to be full of sunshine, good music, good clean fun and good neighbors.

I would like to personally invite the community down to Pepin Park on the Fourth of July to help celebrate our nation’s birthday. I have had a lot of fun organizing this event with my brother, Woody.

I have made a lot of friends along the way, and a lot of memories along the way. I have probably stretched some of that friendship a little by putting them to work, but in the end it was worth it.

I thank all of you who have volunteered so graciously in the past. I haven’t the room or the memory to list you all individually. Also, the multitude of local businesses that have supported us in the past still amazes me! Thank you to all the fantastic donors and all the wonderful help.

Unfortunately, this will be my last year of putting on this event.

Due to health issues, I am running short of the energy it takes to organize and put this event together.

After 12 years, 2013 will be my last year of doing this. It has been a very rewarding, and sometimes challenging 12 years, and I do not want this event to die.

  My brother Woody Woodwick assures me that the music will not die.

Woody will keep twisting musicians arms. He will continue to bring us entertainment on (and sometimes off) the stage. So, that leaves the food and games and other fun stuff.

I am reaching out to this community in the hope that someone, some service club, group or organization will step up to the plate and take over.

Of course, I will help and guide anyone through the organizing process. We have a lot of contacts and helpful information that I will share to anyone who wants to do this.

The majority of the sponsors I’ve spoken to tell me to send “the new guy” around and they will help them out too. This event has become a Havre tradition, and I truly hope somebody can step up and take over. I really, really do not want to see it go away! I will be glad to guide anyone through it.

So, when you are down at Pepin Park this year on the Fourth of July, have some fun, eat some lunch and enjoy the tunes. And while you are there, check it out, and then say … yes, I can do this. Come see me or call me anytime. Hey, it’s a lot of work, but WHY NOT?!

(Vince Woodwick, along with his brother Woody Woodwick, has organized the Fourth of July festival in Pepin Park for 12 years. He has seen it grow over that time.)