Much can happen in a month in the life of an organization.
Farm-City Days has gone from nearly extinct to flourishing and is now moving forward in planning the annual festival.
“We’re looking for people to take charge,” Ashlee Mathews, FCD organizer, said. “We are so happy with the people who are turning out to help.”
Jana Taylor, another FCD organizer, set three goals for it Thursday night.
First was finding people to fill sub-committee chair positions. While the meeting wasn’t as well attended as the last meeting in May, what the group lacked in numbers it made up for in people ready to step up.
Samantha Womack and Lesa Cole were examples; they took on the family fun night event.
“Last year it was pretty expensive going to the carnival,” Cole said. “The kids really loved it so we’d like to take that one.”
After “core” sub-committees were set up, discussion moved to getting additional hands to help.
Carl Slaugh, city administrator, after reporting on contacts made since the May meeting said several people were interested in volunteering. Other businesses and organizations also stepped up to volunteer. The local chapter of Community Emergency Response Team volunteered up to eight of their members.
Sonic Equipment made a major commitment. Cathy Lynch and Megan Hageman, Sonic employees, volunteered to take over marketing efforts. Lynch, Sonic human resources director, said some employees could be another resource.
“We have people around the office who have been talking about Farm-City Days,” Lynch said. “I know a lot of them were asking a lot of questions about how they could help.”
THE FESTIVAL’S theme was discussed. “Together” was thrown out for consideration. Attendees gravitated toward the idea of something that could be interpreted so that an overall theme was there but it could be twisted and turned a little to suit each event of the festival.
Finally, “Together: Iola Farm-City Days” was picked. Going along with the branding efforts of the group, a color scheme of blue and gold was picked for this year’s event.
Budgeting was mentioned, but without much discussion. All committee chairs were told to think about what they wanted to do their events and return next meeting with more detailed financial information.
Iola officials will be asked about such things as a street dance, parade routes and logistical support the festival will need from the city government.
“We accomplished a lot tonight,” Marty Meadows, FCD organizer, said. “It’s going to be one of the best ones we’ve had in a while I think.”
