Town of O’Leary saves P.E.I. Potato Blossom Festival following cancellation announcement
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O’LEARY, P.E.I. — Two weeks after P.E.I. Potato Blossom Competition board members introduced the occasion’s cancellation, O’Leary residents have pulled collectively to make sure its survival.
The occasion will run from July 17 to 23.
“Everyone needed to see the pageant succeed and proceed,” stated Valene Gallant. “It occurred with the assistance of everyone.”
On April 5, the occasion’s board held a public assembly to seek out new folks to prepare the pageant.
The one folks in attendance had been a member of the media, an area politician and a lone neighborhood member who solely attended for data.
As a consequence of an absence of volunteers, the board made a Fb submit stating that there can be no occasion this summer time.
After listening to concerning the announcement on social media, Gallant knew she needed to do no matter she may to maintain the pageant going.
She organized one other public assembly on April 10 and this time round 55 folks attended. By the point the assembly concluded, most had signed as much as volunteer, whereas round half put their identify ahead as potential new board members.
After confirming that there have been sufficient volunteers to prepare an occasion for this summer time, Gallant held a second assembly on April 19 to type the brand new government.
Following the assembly, Gallant posted on her Fb informing the neighborhood that the P.E.I. Potato Blossom Competition had been saved.
“It’s very nice to see the result,” she stated. “I at all times say constructive considering results in constructive outcomes and it definitely confirmed.”
Initially disillusioned on the cancellation, Mayor Eric Gavin was glad to listen to the pageant will make a return to O’Leary this summer time.
“I really feel so much higher now than I did after I heard that it was undoubtedly cancelled,” he stated. “It’s undoubtedly a necessity for this space. I believe it’s factor, and I’m sort of glad that it’s again on.”
In a earlier interview, when the pageant’s future was nonetheless unsure, Gavin voiced hope that some folks would volunteer to maintain not less than a part of the occasions operating.
He understood that the pageant had earlier issue getting volunteers; nonetheless, he was unsurprised when he heard the neighborhood was rallying to make the occasion occur.
“I’d prefer to thank the those that volunteered their time to see this occur over the past ‘x’ quantity of years,” stated Gavin. “I believe that this new group will do job.”
Kristin Gardiner is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. She might be reached by e mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @KristinGardiner.
