By Vern Holmquist
I am writing this column the day after Wurstfest.
As a Mount Angel resident, I see a special meaning to Wurstfest, primarily as a local celebration of the good life we have here. It is such a joy to go to the event and see many smiling faces. Wurstfest is sort of a party in which the populace lets its hair down and declares “life is good.”
I really enjoyed a full day at Wurstfest listening to the music, eating and visiting with friends.
I hope to enjoy a few more Wurstfest – at my age there is a limit. I look at the event like this is a promotion for Mount Angel and what it has to offer, rather than a moneymaking enterprise.
But I now see an ominous cloud forming over Wurstfest and Oktoberfest. It has been slowly moving in. It seems that instead of promotion for the benefit of all some see the events as moneymakers for their personal benefit with disregard to the dedication, the planning and the volunteer efforts of those with a community spirit.
Of course, we wish those who contribute goods and services that compliment this fundraising activity a fair return for their efforts, which are appreciated and acknowledged. The event could not succeed without them.
But when a business – any business – pulls out of an event at the last minute, in effect threatening to sabotage the efforts of others, it casts a cloud over the community spirit and the joy of celebrating our bounty.
Thankfully, in the case of Wurstfest another business stepped up and stepped in to supply sausage and the event was a great success. I trust Wurstfest will be here for years to come. Thank you!
And thanks to the community spirited volunteers for their dedication to this joyous celebration and a great closing event for the Biergarten, which has served us for all these years so well.
