Summerfest gets a boost from volunteers by Michelle Libby

Almost forty people turned out to volunteer to resurrect Summerfest at a meeting held Tuesday night at the Time4Printing offices. Coordinator Kelly Mank and Ron Eby both spoke to the group, thanking them for helping to make Summerfest happen this year on June 22. 

“There are a lot of familiar faces here, who’ve done a lot over the years,” said Eby. “I’m no knight in shining armor,” he added saying that he wasn’t the only one keeping Summerfest running for the previous six years.

Volunteers will be needed to work the parade route, handle set up and clean up and work with the committee chairs on entertainment and fundraising. Approximately 100 volunteers will be needed for that day.

“Our basic goal is to create a community event. We need the community. It’s the community that needs to be involved,” Eby stated. 

Mank has spoken with the school about community service hours given to juniors and seniors at Windham High School for their help in the festivities, especially the parade route. 

Four girls from Windham Middle School attended the meeting. They approached Eby about a bake sale they are planning for this weekend at Aubuchon Hardware to raise money for the event. 

“That’s the spirit Summerfest was built on,” said Eby.   

The scope of Summerfest will change. It won’t be exactly the same, according to Mank. However, cancelling it outright was on an unacceptable option. 

The town involvement is necessary and they are on board, said Mank. “Let’s keep the town out of the middle and make it as easy for the them as possible,” she said. 

Town Manager Tony Plante said in reference to the town’s opinion. “We’ll play a supporting role. We have to be involved.”

Windham Historical Society will have an “artisans on the green” day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They would like to have local artisans come and show how they create their art, from wool spinning to butter churning. 

Julie Arsenault is in charge of the entertainment committee. “We want it jammed packed with fun for everyone,” she said. 

Director of Windham Economic Development Tom Bartell confirmed, “It will be a town event. We will organize parking and logistics and we will do that to ease the burden of these people,” he said, pointing to the gathered crowd. 

The car show, the helicopter rides and the Chamber Singers 25th Anniversary concert will also take place that day. 

“I can’t think of a better time to bring back 25 years of singers on a day we celebrate our community,” said Dr. Rick Nickerson, director of the Chamber Singers.