TEENS PITCH IN Warner Festival Rejuvenated

TEENS PITCH INWarner Festival Rejuvenated

 

WARNER, NH––September 24, 2012–– Each year organizers of the Warner Fall Foliage Festival have faced difficulties in recruiting the army of volunteers it needs. After decades of tradition, many long-time volunteers have ‘aged out’ and there hasn’t been enough new blood to fill the needs. Year after year, there has been talk of not having the festival because of this critical shortage.
     Over its 65-year history, the Columbus Day weekend festival has grown to where an estimated 30,000-40,000 people attended last year, enjoying free admission, entertainment and demonstrations of skill. Proceeds from the festival have always been turned back into community projects, organizations and charities.
     “People look forward to the Warner Fall Foliage Festival because there are so many wonderful phases to it, like the oxen and woodsmen competitions, dog agility demonstration, entertainers, rides, farmers market, crafts, and of course, the delicious food,” said Sherry Thomas, festival president.
     “We really need hundreds volunteers to organize and execute the Warner Fall Foliage Festival, but we were down to mere dozens last year, and it looked like we couldn’t survive much longer. Setup and cleanup, before and after the festival are the most critical piece of the puzzle.”
     After last year’s event, the board of directors volunteer outreach branch went into action. They met with schools and organizations, explaining their situation and trying to recruit young volunteers.
     “And they came through,” Thomas said. “This year we have dozens of students from Kearsarge Regional High School scheduled to help out. Already there is enthusiastic support from sports teams, a dance troupe and organizations, such as AmeriCorps*VISTA, Volunteer NH and Invisible Children.”
     The KRHS dance team will be helping with the Kids Korner activities, as well as the children’s 1-Mile Fun Run, where over 70 children have registered.
     “The volunteer outreach plans to include students from Proctor Academy, New England College and Colby-Sawyer College. We’re really excited to have these young people on board,“ Thomas said.
     This is the first year Kearsarge Regional High School has included community service in its graduation requirements, and students are anxious to accumulate their 20 hours.
     Amanda Chase, KRHS School-to-Work Coordinator said about the volunteer requirements, “The students are finding many diverse activities to use as their hours, and already many kids have gone way over the required hours to as much as 100 hours or more. I believe this and the senior project requirement will benefit students as well as the community on many levels.”
      One of the new features at the festival this year will be the Kearsarge Mountain Art Walk, where Kearsarge Regional students will proudly display their artwork.
     “This year’s lineup looks more exciting than ever, and we‘re delighted to have these young people working with us,” Thomas said.
     A complete schedule, map and more information about the Warner Fall Foliage Festival can be found on their website: www.wfff.org.