Walkersville fire company launches fall festival after weather hurts carnival turnout
The first fall festival brought 23 vendors indoors, giving the volunteer company another fundraiser and residents another chance to gather.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
The first fall festival brought 23 vendors to the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall. Rain moved the event indoors. Vendors paid $30 to participate, and the company sold refreshments. Organizer Kristi Staley hopes to hold another festival next year; no date or fundraising total was provided.
Rain moved the celebration indoors, but Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company’s first fall festival still brought 23 vendors into its social hall for a new community fundraiser.
Organizer Kristi Staley, one of the company’s assistant chiefs, told The Frederick News-Post that she wanted to bring residents together and raise money after heat and rain hurt attendance at the company’s annual carnival.
That carnival ran from June 29 through July 4. The fall festival offered another opportunity for residents to support the volunteer company and for local vendors to reach customers.
Tables featured items including T-shirts, bags, Halloween decorations and handmade goods. Vendors paid $30 to participate, and the fire company sold drinks, chips and candy, according to the newspaper.
The event had been planned for outdoors before rain forced the move into the social hall. Vendor Dina Caple, owner of Crafty Haven Vinyl, praised the organization despite the change.
For some visitors, the smaller scale was part of the appeal. Walkersville resident Jeannine Willis told the News-Post that the nearby event gave her a manageable place to browse handmade items, including tote bags and wooden projects.
Other residents came specifically to support the fire company. Deborah Pulliam attended with her granddaughter and told the newspaper that they regularly go to the company’s events.
Staley said she hopes to organize a second fall festival next year, preferably outside. The supplied report does not include a fundraising total or establish a date for another event.
The first festival gave the company a fresh way to connect with the community after a weather-disrupted summer fundraiser—even with the weather interfering again.
WHAT IT MEANS
The festival adds another potential fundraising event for the volunteer company and a place for local vendors to meet customers. Its financial results were not reported, so the effect on the company’s funding is not yet clear.
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