4 2014 Art & Balloon Festival Lincoln Daily News.com August 25, 2014
at the heart
of the festival
In order for the Art and Balloon Festival
to be successful each year, it takes literally
hundreds of volunteers.
At this year’s volunteer dinner hosted by
Region’s Bank and Culver’s, Andi Hake,
executive director at Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce spoke of
the need for more volunteers while dis-
cussing what it takes to make the festival
happen. Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder
praised the work of the volunteers who
help make the festival “Tremendous!”
Those who volunteer often find it a
rewarding experience. For instance, Jen-
nifer Steele (pictured left), who has vol-
unteered as a craft coordinator, says she
“likes getting to see all the people every
year, and getting to connect with people
outside the community and show what Lincoln is all
about and what a great community we have.” Barry
Simons, who has parked cars and passed out books for
the past couple years, enjoys working at the airport and
seeing all the people who come out for the festival.
Jason Shafer (pictured left), who has helped the Boy
Scouts selling popcorn and candy downtown for many
years says, “It is a great service for our community.”
Bryce Watkins, one of the Boy Scouts who is volun-
teering for the first time, says it is a good time to get
experience with selling items to raise money for their
projects.
Other volunteers also enjoy the chance to be involved
in the festival and all its delight. Kathy Johnson, who
likes to chase balloons and is a first time coordinator
for admissions this year, says it will be “exciting.” Roger
and Jeannie Bakken (pictured left), other first time
volunteers enjoy the balloon glow and meeting friends
at the Art of Wine.
Denise Etcheson has worked at the beverage center
for nine years and says she “likes meeting new people,
enjoying balloons, and watching my kids’ eyes light up
when they see the balloons.”
Friends and family often help to recruit volunteers.
Bill Meyer (pictured left), who is a first time volunteer
this year, says a friend recruited him to drive golf carts
at the festival, which he says should be a “fun experi-
ence.”
For Michelle Squaire, who has volunteered at the Art
Fair for three years, it is a family affair, as she works
with her children and her mother. She says, “It takes a
lot of work to set up.” She loves all the different types of
art, comparing it to being at an art museum.
Michelle's mother Sonnie Alexander, who has worked
as a coordinator at the Art Fair for the past few years,
likes the fact that it offers, “fine art, juried artists, and
judges with good credentials.” She says that “it is fun to
see all the good talents and the variety of media.”
As the volunteers tirelessly put in hours to make the
Art and Balloon Festival succeed, their work brings
pride to our community and joy to the thousands of
people who attend.
[By ANGELA REINERS]
Wednesday
Volunteers
