Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bolt thanks community

Dear Community Members:

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the request for ideas on what a new festival could be. This request was for the people who were interested in organizing a community event that highlights the positive attributes of our city. The group received ideas and opinions by fax, e-mail, and verbal input. The intent of this process was to see what the community wanted and form a committee to see the festival come to life. The group that met at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center worked to narrow the suggestions down, through a consensus building exercise facilitated by Dr. Gary Linn. This information can now be presented to an independent Festival Board. The next step is very important, the creation of an independent Festival Board. This board will be challenged to review and implement the ideas presented and work to make the event successful. The Festival Board will need volunteers for committees such as recreational activities, food cook-off, music, vendors, marketing, and finance/fund raising.

The City of Arkadelphia through the Parks and Recreation Department will continue to operate Cruisin in the Park and the Youth Sports Festival and will have an active representative on this newly formed Festival Board. At this time I am unaware of any entity that has agreed to take over this festival but I would encourage all organizations to consider this.

Again, thank you for your support thus far and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Jimmy Bolt

Arkadelphia City Manager