On behalf of the Brockport Integrated Service and Community Organization (BISCO), I would like to thank the community for its support of the 18th Brockport Arts Festival’s return to Main Street. From the village government (including its board and police department) to the many groups and individuals who created new events or worked with us in some capacity, cooperation was superb. And, those who witnessed the Duck Derby saw the fire department come to the rescue with a pumper that created a canal current to move the ducks to the finish line. It was quite a sight.
Thank you to all who sought me out (sometimes with visitors in tow to speak for themselves). They wished to thank BISCO for putting on such a festival and bringing it back to Main Street where it belongs. Vendors, who are the heart of the festival, generally gave us superlative grades, especially on organization, hospitality and the music. At least 40 percent of the vendors were new to Brockport and they contributed to a new look and new perspective. Vendors also raved about the village’s ambiance and the overall hospitality of community folks – especially those from Elaine Bader’s cadre of hospitality/information volunteers. Some said it was a “happy festival.”
For our first time on Main Street without a professional promoter, we were very pleased with the results. An all volunteer event means there is no paid promoter and thus all monies raised remain in the community. Not generally known is that most arts and crafts vendors made a donation of one of their works/products to the festival’s “Made in America” fund. The items donated are being gifted to the Seymour Library’s fall Evening at the Library event.
We’d like to thank our volunteers who helped with the many jobs needed at the festival with good grace and a smile. I have to single out Paul Drake and his crew of Fire Police who volunteered to help with traffic at crucial times (since July 1 the new fire district rules don’t permit their official involvement). Technically all BISCO folks are also volunteers and I have to single out Dave Moore for special thanks for the efforts he expended on so many tasks including marking the road (with DPW volunteers) and his leadership efforts with duck race – difficult jobs. (As the DOT would not allow even a temporary paint, duct tape was used to mark vendor locations.)
A new map of the street was created by the talented Kat Clemens who ended up as an assistant festival chair because she was invaluable in a myriad of ways. And, Dick Kron, George Dahl and Art Appleby thank all those commenting on the beautiful new festival signs. Special thanks go to the service clubs who continued their historic festival support and Sue Parrino for creating, organizing and continually updating our complex data base. Apologies to those I missed thanking.
Finally, thank you to our numerous sponsors, many of whose logos were in Westside’s festival insert, included in the YNN commercial based on Richard Black’s great poster printed by The College at Brockport. (Anyone desiring one of the few remaining signed and laminated copies, for a small donation can receive one by e-mailing Brockportartsfest@frontier.com or calling 395-9606.) Also noteworthy was Brockport Walmart’s support of the Family Fun Center at Morgan-Manning House and all the entertainment; Brockport Wegman’s Duck Derby prizes; Reliant FCU, 24/7 Fit Club, Rotary and Pinewood CC duck derby prize contributions, and didn’t Westside News Inc. do a great job on the festival insert?
Beginning in October, help is needed for planning the 2013 festival. Needs include: a Coordinator of Special Events, Supervisor of the Morgan-Manning Family Fun Center, Entertainment Coordinator, Vendor Check in Supervisor, Website Coordinator, PR Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator, Administrative Assistant to the Chair and secretarial/clerical assistance. Anyone interested in any of the foregoing or a job perceived but not mentioned should contact Pat Baker at e-mail and phone contacts noted above.
Thank you everyone for helping make this a true Community event.
