Event Critical Mass?
by Kirby Lindsay
At the May 26 Board meeting of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce (FCC), the directors reviewed the annual budget, discussed turnout to the Solid Ground luncheon, and heard guest presentations.
Elizabeth Hudson, Executive Director for R.O.A.R. of Washington, introduced her organization which works to break the cycle of homelessness, and has been located in Fremont for 16 years (now at 3644 Albion Place North.) Hudson explained that clients they accept must have some kind of income. After helping them find housing, ROAR remains connected to track their ‘success,’ and so far, 79% of clients keep their housing.
Fremont Love Fest
Presentations on upcoming events at the April 21 Fremont Chamber general meeting:
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The second presentation, and a majority of the meeting, revolved around events. Jake Shaw and Jeremy Westfall, co-founders of Manifest World, had come to present their proposal for the Fremont Love Fest.
This music festival would promote the mission of Manifest World, and its focus on sustainability, community and environment. They’ve already done a similar festival in the Methow Valley. Local businesses, including Fremont Brewing Company and Blue Moon Burgers, as well as Solid Ground and FamilyWorks, have shown interest in participating.
The concept, and the positive message behind it, won the support of many of FCC directors. Yet, it pushed forward a question no appeared ready to answer – how many events are too many?
Critical Mass?
At their April meeting, the FCC Board heard a presentation for an indie music block party – Rock The Block. Organizers proposed holding it August 14 on the 100 Block of North 35th Street - the same location and a day before that proposed for the Fremont Love Fest. Follow up, after this meeting, revealed that Rock The Block organizers have dropped their plans.
Yet that location, this year, has already hosted Honk Fest West and the Fremont Criterium, and will have the Fremont Street Fair this month, Red White & Dead on July 3rd and Oktoberfest, in September. How many times can businesses (Fremont Studios, Indoor Sun Shoppe, TPN, Sound Speed Scooters, etc.) be denied access, and remain in business?
It isn’t just that block. At the April 21st FCC general meeting, members heard a jaw-dropping number of presentations by organizers staging events all over Fremont in 2010. Some organized by the Chamber directly, as the May Board meeting went on to discuss upcoming Chamber events including the Fremont Fair, Oktoberfest, Picnic In the Park and Ducks, Dogs & Suds.
Without a formal motion, the FCC directors advised Shaw and Westfall on other potential locations. After the meeting, by e-mail, Shaw reported they’ve shifted their potential location, to the foot of Stone Way North in the parking lot near Solsticio. They’ve also changed the date, for the Fremont Love Fest, to September 11.
Expect this conversation, on events, to continue and, as always, for the Fremont Chamber to welcome anyone with a voice. FCC Board meetings remain open to the public – at least, that part of the public willing to attend a meeting at 8 a.m. on the last Wednesday of the month (next one, June 30) at History House.
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©2010 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.