Festival Days is an effort by entire Havre community

Festival Days weekend’s success would not have been obtained without the continued support from the many volunteers and willingness of the many different 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, Montana State University-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 Day, to the Festival Run/Walk, to the Book Sale, to the Quilt Show, to the Demo Derby, to the 48-Hour Softball Tournament, to the Steve Heil Memorial Car Show, to MAT’s production ... .thank you to all of you for your time and commitment.

People were everywhere — from the opening events and activities on Friday — to the final event on Sunday, there was truly something for everyone.

We aren’t always fortunate to have both the Havre Blue Ponies and Northern in town on Festival Days and this year was a lucky year as both were in town for gridiron action and it was Northern’s homecoming.

The Craft and Commercial Products Show was relocated to the Holiday Village Mall this year and proved to be a great success under the guidance of Gerry Dolven. Thanks to Chandra Moomey and her staff for the awesome support they provided us with the venue change. And thanks to all the vendors who participated.

It was so exciting to see the energy placed into the building of floats that showcased this year’s theme, “Let’s Celebrate Havre!,” Thank you to all that contributed to the success of the parade through participation and to the community for coming out in force to support the parade. Congratulations to North Central Montana Pilots Association for winning the Mayor’s Choice Award, to Rose’s File-N-Style for being selected the Best Commercial Float and to HRDC for receiving the Best Non-Commercial honors.

A big thank-you must go to team of volunteers that worked to organize a great parade: Tony Vigliotti and the awesome support crew of: Julie Holt, Shauna Albrecht, Christen Obresley, Chandra Moomey, Cindy Knudson, Debbie Callahan, Debi Rhines, Andy Carlson, Craig Mueller, Bonnie O’Neill, Jim Lyons, Jacob Lorang, Nick Turner and Shawn Holden. The support we received from the local police, to keep the parade route safe, truly speaks to working together for a common goal.

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 were drawn for the week of Festival Days and the winners would receive either a Chamber gift certificate or a Festival Days mug. There were 24 lucky winners this year. To sweeten the winnings Triangle Communications and Cape Air donated additional prizes.

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, MDT for all of your help and support. The support you give the Chamber for Festival Days and throughout the year is unsurpassed.

The Saturday. Market wrapped up on 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.

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.)