January drizzle and dark evenings are a far cry from the balmy days of June, July and August. But right now is when the seeds are planted for some of the great things that happen in this Valley every summer.
With the quiet(er) part of the year upon us, it’s a good moment to consider the year ahead. For some, it’s a moment to ponder personal changes: diet, lifestyle, priorities.
One way that folks can make a difference is to get on board one of our Valley festival committees. Now is a great time to do that. You can get involved, on the ground floor, in events that really help make our summers special.
Festival at Mount Si
The planning starts in January for the Festival at Mount Si, August 9 through 12, and it takes many volunteers working in lots of capacities to make it happen.
What the festival committee needs now are people willing to do some of the background work to make it all happen. This group meets monthly, starting in January. The core committee welcomes ideas and support from newcomers.
“More people make for easier work and more fun,” Jill Massengill, the committee leader, told me. She adds that she has “thoroughly enjoyed the friendships and wonderful memories gained from the experience of volunteering” for the Festival. You can learn more about the Festival at Mount Si by e-mailing info@festivalatmisi.org.
Carnation Fourth
Carnation’s Fourth of July celebration is in the planning stages, and always needs volunteers for its event, as well as entertainers.
Carnation’s festival committee spends months readying for the event, starting in December. Some of the same folks also spend a month preparing for the Christmas in Carnation event, held in December. The July 4 celebration and the Christmas event light up the town.
To organizer Kim Lisk, volunteering has its rewards. You see everyone at their happiest, and can be proud of your city. To be a part of Carnation’s Fourth of July celebration, e-mail to kimlisk@comcast.net or call (425) 333-4855.
Fall City Days
The Fall City Days committee, readying for its June 16 celebration, holds its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21.
While most committees don’t get started until April, the people behind the annual Duck Derby, the fun run, and those who organize the vendor booths start planning in spring. The group needs most volunteers the week of the event.
Besides making for a fun moment for the community, Fall City Days Chairwoman Judy Dix says that this event gives back almost all its proceeds. Local schools and Valley youth organizations benefit. You can contact the committee at (425) 222-6251 or go online at www.fallcity.org.
Dix makes a good point: That there’s more to festivals than fun.
Besides helping schools and youth organizations, you’ll get a meaningful, inside experience of a small-town classic, the town festival.
It’s important to keep these events alive by instilling new volunteers, with new dreams and ideas, into the mix. Why wait until the summer to be a part?
