Gates County’s own SwampFest ’03 was a success once again and organizers should be proud of the outcome. The county has consecutively for the past 11 years sponsored an event that can make all of its citizens proud.

Although we are small in number and don’t have all the special treats that some of these other festival do, we’ve been able to host an event that offered good food, arts and crafts, fun and games and live entertainment.

I can’t praise those hard working volunteers enough when I tell them that SwampFest – the idea and the reality – has been a welcome attraction from one year to the next. I don’t want to ride the same horse to death but there are so many people who don’t understand the work that is involved.

It takes more than lining up stages and putting down flags. There is a lot of work involved in this type of event and organizers have a lot to be proud of. The number of hours spent making decision on things that you are not sure people will like totals many.

There is a lot of time spent trying to decide what type of music those in attendance may want to hear. There is a lot time spent trying to decide what types of games the children may be interested in playing.

All of this time plus the time spent away from their jobs and from their families is numerous and too often not appreciated. I want each of you to know that the time spent even in producing a tabloid that features the activities of the day even adds up.

Their will always be those who will complaint – who will never find anything positive to say about anything. When the decision was made to move the festival, there were a lot of people who said that it wouldn’t work and that it’s just not the same. No, it’s not the same, but sometimes things have to happen and I honestly think that those who attended the festival thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

There faces and their expressions told the story over and over again. The festival committee is always looking for volunteers and those willing to work. Plans for SwampFest ’04 are beginning now and for those who have a little time on their hands and a desire to make things better in their own county – getting involved with the SwampFest Committee may be a good idea.

SwampFest ’04 is also looking for a few good sponsors. The event needs the help of the entire county. The festival is hosted by the county for the county and your support is needed. If you are called upon to assist with one thing or another, please feel free to give that extra token – that extra dollar for a good cause.

In the years to come SwampFest will be compared with festival of much larger magnitudes but this will not happen without your help. Don’t sit back and complain, get up and do something about it.

No matter how large or small, your contribution will be a great help to the committee and to the festival.