QUILCENE — The Quilcene Fair and Parade might happen this year after all, though nothing is set in stone yet.
Fair President Greg Brotherton announced last week that the 35th annual Quilcene Fair and Parade would be canceled this year due to lack of volunteers.
That announcement led to quite a bit of discussion in the community about what needs to be done for the fair to happen this year, he said.
“There has been quite a reaction,” he said. “There’s been a lot of interest.”
There is now a community meeting planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 at the Quilcene Community Center, 294952 U.S. Highway 101, he said.
All-hands meeting
“We’re going to have an all-hands meeting to assess whether it’s practical and what workforce we really have,” he said. “All are welcome.”
The annual tradition is usually set for the third Saturday each September and benefits scholarships for local students and other charities. It features a parade, live music, art and other activities.
The fair is still donating this year to Dollars for Scholars in Quilcene and to 4-H for their contributions to the Quilcene School and the Quilcene Food Bank.
Brotherton said previously that if others step up to make the fair happen there is enough money in the fair’s bank account and he’s still willing to help out if others join him.
He said in a statement last week that while the fair still has a set of volunteers who are eager to bring the fair back in following years, there is a need for a new core of volunteers.
New officers
That includes a new president, treasurer, one or two people to run the raffle, someone to run promotions and other positions.
“We’ll see what happens at the meeting on the 30th,” he said. “It will probably mean a new core board and I would be more of a support person.”
He said there are at least two people who have volunteered to be the fair board’s president.
Since the announcement, Brotherton said he has already seen quite a bit of enthusiasm and he is hopeful the fair will continue this year.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
