Many thank-yous to many people for Festival Days work

Events such as Havre Festival Days are a success because so many people join together to make it happen. Without the sponsors, the businesses, community organizations, the community support and the volunteers, Festival Days would look a whole lot different.

The weekend’s success would not have been obtained without the continued support from the many volunteers and the willingness of the many entities of the community to come together on this third weekend in September to throw a community celebration for all to enjoy. Our many thanks go to the numerous volunteers, the businesses, community organizations, the vendors and our Festival Days sponsor partner MSU-Northern for helping the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce make the weekend a huge accomplishment.

It takes a community to make Festival Days. And, the achievement of the weekend goes to the groups that organized and hosted the long list of activities that filled the weekend’s schedule; from the Kiwanis Pancake Feed to the Festival Run/Walk, the Jaycees Bump ’N’ Run, the book sale, the quilt show, the demo derby, the 48-hour softball tournament, the Big Sky Auto Club Car Show, MAT’s production, the debut of the Glacier Nationals junior hockey team, the youth baseball ball drop and many other activities that took place over the weekend, thank you to all of you for your time and commitment. People were everywhere — from the opening events and activities Friday to the final event Sunday — there was truly something for everyone.

It was so exciting to see the energy placed into the building of floats that showcased this year’s theme, “Havre: Loving our Treasures.” Thank you to all who contributed to the success of the parade through participation and to the community for coming out in force to support the parade. Congratulations to Northern Montana Hospital for winning the Mayor’s Choice Award, to Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods for being selected the Best Commercial Float and to the Havre Public School Foundation/Fossil Festival for receiving the Best Non-Commercial honors.

A big thank-you must go to the team of volunteers who worked to organize a great parade: Tony Vigliotti, Kathy and Mike Palmer for their guidance with the parade line-up and the awesome support crew of, Julie Holt, Shauna Albrecht, Chandra Moomey, Sharon Caven, Debi Rhines, Andy Carlson, Jim Lyons, Dominique Preputin, Craig and Emily Mueller, Jacob Lorang, Stacy Mantle and Debbie Callahan. Mike and Kathy came back to Havre to help with the parade. That is dedication.

Many enjoyed the music of the South Alberta Pipes and Drums Band during the parade. The band also entertained many groups throughout Saturday as they made their way around town. Thanks to the Havre Lions Club for their sponsorship of the band and keeping this wonderful tradition alive.

The Craft and Commercial Products Show was a success under the volunteer leadership of Gerry Dolven and Kitty Williams. Thank you, Gerry and Kitty, for your commitment to the continued success of the craft show.

The commemorative buttons and mugs were a hit! Thanks to all Chamber member businesses that participated and supported the Festival Days mug and button promotions. Six numbers a day for the week of Festival Days and the winners would receive either a Chamber gift certificate or a Festival Days mug. There were 19 lucky winners this year. To sweeten the winnings Triangle Communications, Hill County Electric and Cape Air donated additional prizes with only one left to be claimed.

The Saturday Market wrapped up Saturday after a grand summer. Thank you to all vendors who made the market a fun place to shop and to the community for supporting the Market. See you next summer.

Getting the word out is always the key to a successful event, and we thank the radio and the newspaper for giving Festival Days weekend such great coverage. To the Crystal City Casino/ Hi-Line Gold Casino and Bearly Square Quilting: thank you, for sponsoring the Festival Day’s flyer with the weekend’s schedule of events.

There is a ton of behind-the-scenes work that takes place. Thanks to the city department heads — police and fire department — and Montana Department of Transportation for all of your help and support. The support you give the Chamber for Festival Days and throughout the year is unsurpassed.

I venture to say every event in our community is supported or sponsored by private business. They are certainly responsible for the success this Chamber event and all of our events and projects. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of our members. Thank you.

Festival Days is promoted and organized by the Chamber, but the weekend is really about the community making it happen. Thank you to all.Many compliments have been received for everyone’s hard work.

(Debbie Vandeberg is executive director of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce.)