With only a small number of executive members on board late last year, this summer’s Trout Festival looked like it may be in doubt. Now, with volunteers rapidly filling vacant executive positions, the festival is on once more.
A new executive group for the 69th Trout Festival was named follwing a Jan. 21 meeting, with most of the high positions for the event filled with volunteers.
Laurie Sealey has been named president for the festival, with Sheena Reed serving as vice president. Katie Kawerski will be the treasurer, while the secretary post will be filled by Laurence Gillespie. Marci Lyon has also been appointed as volunteer coordinator.
Sealey is glad to see the event hasn’t been cancelled with several people stepping up to help.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a good year. We’re working on the planning and stuff. It was more of an informative, get-the-new-people-into-the-positions meeting, asking a few things,” said Sealey.
“It sounds like an exciting position. I have lots to learn and I’m up for the challenge. We’re definitely going to go ahead with the Trout Festival.”
Colleen Arnold, the City of Flin Flon’s liaison with the festival’s executive and a former executive member herself, is confident the festival has been set back on track.
“I think we’re on the upswing. We’re hoping it’s just going to get better and better,” she said.
“Next year is the big 70th anniversary, so we’re hoping next year will be grand.”
Executive members will also focus their efforts on individual events. Reed will be the group’s main organizer for the Canada Day parade, while Terry Arnold, despite not being an executive member, has been put in charge of the canoe races.
Duties for two of the festival’s main events will be split between Sealey and Reed.
“The president and vice president will both help each other out with the Fish Fry and the Main Street Days,” said Arnold.
Some aspects from last year’s Trout Festival, including the introduction of a sit-down dinner during the Fish Fry, are already on the event schedule, having received rave reviews.
“We did get a lot of feedback from people about the dinner last year and I think it’ll be even bigger and better than last year,” said Arnold.
While the festival will take place, one more important piece of the puzzle needs to be organized – getting enough volunteers involved.
“I’m looking at recruiting more volunteers. We always need more volunteers. We’re looking at finding people,” said Sealey.
Any interested volunteers can call (204) 681-3105 and dial extension 5 for volunteer information.
One more organization meeting has been scheduled for this year’s edition of the Festival. Board members and interested parties can take part on Feb. 24, with the meeting starting at 1 p.m. at the Victoria Inn ballroom.
