Plans for 2009 Wild Blackberry Fest squashed
From our weekly issue dated July 01, 2009
Although the 2009 Blackberry Festival is canceled, the grass-roots committee that’s staged it for the past three years has not disbanded and has some ideas for 2010.
The Wild Blackberry Festival Committee most recently has been led by Cave Junction residents Mark & Judy Russo, who stepped up in 2005 for the 25th annual event. It’s traditionally been held during the second weekend of August.
Besides putting up a goodly portion of their own money to present the program, and not seeing reimbursement, the couple simply is discouraged about the lack of participation. That applies to vendors, and the community as attendees.
Their views were presented during the committee’s quarterly meeting Wednesday night, June 17 at the Illinois Valley Resource Center. Joining them were committee board members Michael & Karen Yanase.
Said Mark, “I have to admit, 2008 was a dismal disappointment. Many people turned out to be all talk and no walk.
“The 2008 festival lacked the spirit of the two before it. One third of the paying vendors didn’t show up Saturday morning to claim their reserved spaces. Entertainers blew us off without the courtesy of a phone call.
“Some vendors not registered,” he said, “refused to pay for their spaces, citing (that) the property owner gave them permission to be there. This is always a lame reason, as the space near the sidewalk is owned by the city, which allows us to charge for those spaces.”
Russo added that vendor spaces were lost last year because, “Evidently some merchants do not see the value of having a colorful booth in front of their businesses.” Other disappointments he listed included lack of attendance for a free concert last year at Jubilee Park as part of the festival; and little or no attendance for other programs, presented by Rogue Valley Flyers and an historical group.
Advertisement:
And despite I.V. Family Coalition’s participation with attractions at the park, not many showed up there. As well, members of I.V. Volunteer Firefighters Association took a bath with their hot dog cart due to lack of customers.
Said Russo, “ I have spoken to past Blackberry Festival organizers, and the common denominator can be summed up like this: A lot of people want to see the festival continue, but very few want to do anything to help.”
He, his wife and the Yanases feel that it could work for an existing “fresh” valley organization, perhaps Rotary Club of Illinois Valley, or Cave Junction Lions Club, to take over the festival. Russo said that he would be happy to work with any group to help it put on.
“We believe in the festival,” said Russo, getting agreement from those present. Various ideas for attractions were touched on, including perhaps a rebirth of the pie-eating contest, and maybe a recipe or baking contest among other thoughts.
“It seems that the festival needs to be re-invented,” said Michael Yanase. “It needs new people, new blood and a new focus.”
The committee plans to hold its next quarterly meeting on Sept. 16, or the 23rd, depending on circumstances. It will be announced in Illinois Valley News.
Advertisement:
