Festival Days 2019 a great success

The 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 Chamber make the weekend a huge accomplishment.

It takes a community to make Festival Days. Thank you to all who planned the exciting and fun events that took place all weekend. Thank you to all who participated and came out to support the events. With so many things to see and do there truly was something for everyone.

The vendor shows located downtown and up at the Holiday Village Mall were both a great success under the guidance of Tera Verploegen, Jenna Holt and Gerry Dolven. Thanks to all the vendors that participated, we hope to see you again next year.

It was so exciting to see the energy placed into the building of floats that showcased this year’s theme, “Small Town USA.” The parade had one of the largest turn outs that Festival Days has ever seen and that is due to the community coming out in force to support the parade. Congratulations to HRDC for winning the Mayor’s Choice Award, to Angel Care for being selected the Best Commercial Float and to the Gwynn family for receiving the Best Non-Commercial honors. Thank you to the Havre Lions Club for sponsoring the South Alberta Pipe Band, they are a wonderful addition to the parade.

A big thank-you must go to team of volunteers who worked to organize a great parade: Tony Vigliotti, Curt Lineweaver, Mike Palmer, Craig Mueller, Ed Norman, Bethany Chinadle, Casey Pratt, Matt Wertheimer, Mason Shepard and Search and Rescue. Thank you also to all local law enforcement for the support we received to keep the parade route safe.

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. Thank you to Triangle Communications, and Cape Air for donating the button grand prizes.

Getting the word out is always the key to a successful event and we want to thank New Media Broadcasters, Havre Daily News and Havre Herald for giving Festival Days weekend such great coverage. To 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.

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. We can’t wait to make next year even better!

Julea Robbins

Havre Chamber executive director