Guest Editorial Response regarding Harvestfest
From the Board of Directors of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce
Harvestfest 2010
Several recent articles and editorials published by the Portsmouth Herald, The York Weekly and the York Independent have been riddled with misinformation and distortions about Harvestfest 2010, and we feel it is time to set the record straight on this issue. We have been available to answer any and all questions posed by the reporters and editors of these papers. When we do so, we feel our responses have been slanted in an effort to increase the perceived “controversy” surrounding Harvestfest to make the issue as newsworthy as possible. Without conflict and controversy there is not an “inside scoop” to get, nor an article to write about it. Unfortunately, as long as conflict is maintained, cooperation and constructive dialogue concerning the opportunities this change can provide cannot begin to flourish.
Nothing could be more transparent than the decision to move Harvestfest from the overcrowded village setting to the beach. Half of the Harvestfest celebration has been located at the beach for the past 5 years, so it’s not a new idea. The other half of Harvestfest---the food tent and the juried crafters which are the parts we managed in the village--will be moving there this fall to make a safer, more pedestrian friendly event. It couldn’t be simpler. There is no conspiracy, no master-minded effort to steal business from the village to give to the beach, as comments in previous newspaper articles would have you believe. York Beach businesses may choose to take advantage of additional foot traffic in the area, or they may choose not to. Since the York Beach venue has been in place for years, the Chamber Board did not consider business expansion in that area as a basis for the decision to move certain events there. By the same token, the board felt the increased availability of parking and the elimination of traffic gridlock in the Village was perceived as an opportunity, not as a threat, to Village businesses.
There is no intent to make Harvestfest as big as the Hampton Seafood Festival where their food tents alone take up 3 city blocks! Our decision was simply a matter of public safety and it addresses the challenge of successfully managing the logistics of a large outdoor festival. Harvestfest over the past few years has attracted too many people who were squeezed into too small a space. Plain and simple, Harvestfest has suffered from growing pains that required us to find a remedy if the event was going to survive for another 25 years.
We are following the process the town has established for reviewing public events through the special event permit, just as we have every year---there’s nothing new here either. Once we have ironed out the logistics of the event and it has passed the muster of the town of York department heads as required, we will submit our Special Event Permit application to the Town Manager for approval by the Board of Selectmen. We’re not hiding anything---as in past years, we’re working to make sure we have a plan that will work before submitting it for final approval. This is the same process every organization has to follow. Historically we have submitted our special event permit request in September and it has been accepted without any problem.
Our spokesperson, Cathy Goodwin, has been the target of intense criticism following the announcement that certain events would move to the York Beach venue. These criticisms are unfounded. We want everyone to know that she had no vote in the matter; in fact, she only lent her support to the proposed change after several internal meetings took place to address all of the issues surrounding the move. It was our Board of Directors who voted unanimously to make these changes. It is now her job to support our decision in a positive and constructive way and we are pleased with the way that she has done so.
A fact that has attracted little media attention is that we have been working with representatives from the village merchants and the First Parish Church to find appropriate activities that would fit into the village infrastructure. And we have developed ideas for the other weekends in October so that many different types of groups can benefit from a focus on the entire Town of York. The mission of the Chamber is to promote the prosperity of the region, and we do that by facilitating economic activity for our business and non-profit communities. Events are one way we achieve this mission. Plans are being formulated for an Artfest, Brewfest, and Kidsfest activities. We certainly do not have an exclusive hold on these weekends, as the papers suggest! The development of these activities is an open-ended process, just as Harvestfest has been for 25 years. If a group or organization wants to participate by adding events, more the better! We don’t want to do it all---we can’t do it all!
What is our plan for 2010? It is to once again host southern Maine’s premiere fall festival--- the 26th annual Harvestfest in York. We will have great fun like we always do, and so will all the participants, whether they are vendors, visitors, or natives! We will continue to collaborate on ideas, and support our merchants and non-profit groups. It’s what we do.
The chamber door is always open, so please stop by if you have any questions. Or you can reach us by calling 363-4422.
Chris Kehl, Chair of the Board
Jeff Pelkey, Vice Chair
Dawn Fernald, Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Nancy Flolid, Past Chair
Phil Lusty
Elaine Morgillo
Jennifer Thibodeau
Jim Gavin
Steve Sanborn
Mike Lassel
|
