After a bit of uncertainty this winter and spring, fireworks are a go for the 2018 edition of the Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair. This will come as especially good news to the many local residents who came forward in recent months to praise the annual fireworks display, citing it as the one of the biggest highlights of the fair.
“We received an attractive proposal from CanFire Pyrotechnics, and they have really helped us make sure we can make it happen again,” says fair organizer Dustin Krahn. This is a change from previous years, when the fireworks came courtesy of Archangel Fireworks. “It’s been a ton of work and a delicate balancing act. It was never a question of whether we wanted fireworks. We absolutely agree that the fair just wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Krahn notes that the committee has spent a lot of time this year trimming the budget to make sure the event can be both successful and sustainable. Ensuring that the fireworks can return to the lineup this year has been a priority.
“This is in no small part due to a lot of our long-time partners and entertainers pitching in and helping out, trimming their costs where they can, and ensuring that we continue to have successful events,” Krahn says. “In the long run, it’s win-win for everyone to work together. Some of them absolutely stepped up to the plate this year, and we simply cannot emphasize how appreciative we are. It truly does show the value in the partnerships we have made over the years.”
Calling all Volunteers
Massaging the budget isn’t the only critical aspect of ensuring that the Olde Tyme Country Fair continues for years to come. Money is obviously an important ingredient, as are sponsors, municipal support, and a large amount of internal organization.
So what’s still missing? Krahn notes that the fair committee has noted a decline in this year’s volunteer force.
“A lot of our veteran volunteers who helped start the fair and who have worked with us the last 23 years are now starting to take well-deserved retirement, in hopes of enjoying the weekend with their families,” Krahn says. “The people power required to transform Main Street into a festival in less than a day is absolutely tremendous. If there is no volunteer force, things simply won’t happen.”
Although Niverville’s population has nearly quadrupled since the fair began, there are fewer volunteers to carry the workload.
“In many ways, our volunteer lists are still 20 years old. And unfortunately one of the only ways we can get new volunteers is for people to reach out to us when we put the call out,” says Krahn. “I would encourage new residents to jump in and get involved. It is actually a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to get out and meet new people in town, all while helping to make the fair a great time for everyone.”
As of this writing, volunteers are still needed to help staff Saturday night, both in the concert area and at the entrance gates.
“We hope that we can attract some new faces out to pitch in and make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
The last thing we want to see is the closure of ticket booths or having to close lineups at the beer gardens. Nobody likes lineups, so that is a real concern for us.”
Krahn says that the committee is primarily looking for people to take two-hour shifts at the ticket booths or beer gardens.
“And hopefully when your shift is over, there is a nice short lineup for you to grab a beer!”
