Top, committee members go over their mission statement and coordination notes in a meeting laced with laughter and ?can do? enthusiasm. Bottom (l-r) Bill and Catherine Tarr had already accomplished a list of tasks by the time of the first meeting, Karen Bailey Shows off a fun Lilac Festival badge.
By Patric Hedlund
In what may be one of the most breathtaking turnarounds in the mountain’s history, virtually overnight the 27th Annual Lilac Festival’s future has been transformed from certain death to livelier than ever.
A group of enthusiastic volunteers gathered on a frosty Saturday morning March 7 at Gary Wilson’s realty office in Pine Mountain. It was only 7:30 a.m., but there was plenty of progress to report.
Laughter, hot coffee, Barbara Sioussat’s home-baked cinnamon pastries and Wilson’s well organized task sheets guided a group that included Bill and Catherine Tarr, Karen Bailey, John and Barbara Sioussat, Wilson and Conrad Schwarm.
"The Best Darn Lilac Festival Ever" will be held May 16-17, with its traditional parade, vendors, food booths, artists, artisans, local talent, entertainment and lots of surprises for affordable family fun.
Schwarm said he will organize two days of entertainment in the village gazebo. Jacki Hunter will form a parade committee. Catherine Tarr and Barbara Sioussat have already contacted vendors and are inviting all local artisans, artists, community groups and talent of all kinds to come forward to use the event to showcase their work. Mountain Community residents receive a deep discount on booths.
"We even want local authors to join together in a book-signing booth," Barbara Sioussat said. "There is so much talent here, let’s show it off."
Lilac Land for Kids will be presented by Pine Mountain Community Christian Church, a day full of free fun and games, including Bobo the Clown, face painting and crafts.
Bill Tarr and John Sioussat are developing events. They, too, want to showcase regional talent, from buskers—magicians, musicians, clowns and others—to square dance demonstrations, a golf tourney, a horseshoe tournament and…well, they hope those reading this will call and write with more suggestions, and to volunteer, between now and next week. You can contact them all at garywilson10@gmail.com (put "Lilac" in the subject line) or at (888) 856-0001. Sioussat says brownies will be served at the next volunteers’ meeting: at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 14 in Mountain Properties’ Pine Mountain Village Office.
This is part of the March 13, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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