Newsletters
Fall - Winter, 2002
Newsletter Volume 8 Issue 2
PLEASED TO FEEL PROUD
As a volunteer for the Maine Folklife Center and a member of the
"Bucket Brigade," I felt privileged to be part of the 2002 National
Folk Festival in Bangor. I couldn’t wait to don my vibrant green
T-shirt (but did), and have worn it proudly since, each time
eliciting exuberant comments about the festival.
At a gloomy time in our nation, the National Folk Festival
celebrated what is good about our country, most of all, its
diversity. Bangor’s waterfront became a microcosm of America with an
exotic blend of smells and sounds from the foods and musicians of
diverse cultures. Bringing together people of different colors,
ages, occupations, talents, ethnic traditions and geographic
locations, the festival brought the nation to Bangor, Maine, and
introduced this region to the nation.
My excitement began to build at the training session for volunteers
when I realized more than 700 (at that time) would be working (and
when we got our bright T-shirts with strict instructions not to wear
them until we were on duty). Even with all the experience of people
familiar with other festivals and with all the planning of
committees considering every contingency, there was a sense of the
unknown that heightened the anticipation and made the successes all
the more thrilling as things began to unfold.
I attended all three days of the festival (though I had to wait till
the last one to wear my T-shirt) and could not help noticing the
smiles. They were everywhere - on faces listening to concerts,
watching crafters, greeting friends, eating food, even standing in
line and walking to and from the parking lots. People were happy to
be there and were ready to celebrate. When I finally got my bucket,
they were eager to fill it with donations to support future
festivals. They waved dollars from their seats in the Dance Pavilion
and tapped me on the shoulder amid crowds outside. Some wore
stickers from days before, but still contributed and collected
another sticker.
Whether working with a bucket or in a booth, I sensed people were
pleased to feel positive, and the National Folk Festival gave them a
reason to be both positive and proud.
- Kathryn Olmstead
Professor of Journalism, UM
MFC Advisory Board Member
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