Colorfest
crowds coming October 14 & 15
BY JAMES RADA JR.
Thurmont News Editor
THURMONT,
Md. – At 5 a.m. on Saturday morning, Oct. 14, Community
Park will be pitch dark as the trees keep even what twilight
there is from reaching the ground. But circles of light will
move through the park like giant fireflies as people drive in
and use lanterns and flashlights to show the way.
They
will be vendors for Colorfest, which will be opening for its
43rd year in Thurmont on Oct. 14-15.
“When
daylight breaks it’s like a whole village comes to life,”
said Carol Robertson.
She said
the smells of breakfast foods cooking is wonderful and a great
way to begin the artisan and craft festival that attracts
about 100,000 people into Thurmont over the weekend.
“I’ve
taken checks from people from Texas and California who will
be here,” Robertson said.
Robertson
said many people like to come to Colorfest to do their Christmas
shopping because they know they will find unique handmade
items at the juried vendors.
However,
when the tourists come in, some residents leave for the weekend
and some businesses close.
“People
recognize that Colorfest is inconvenient,” said Thurmont
Clerk/Treasurer Rick May. “It’s not a lot of fun
trying to get through town that weekend.”
Robertson
acknowledges that the festival creates inconveniences for
some residents, but she also points out the many benefits
the town receives from the festival. Civic organizations and
churches set up booths to sell items to the crowds. Local
school PTAs receive the funds from paid parking on the school
lots. Colorfest, Inc. gives Guardian Hose $2,500 and the Thurmont
Ambulance Company $1,500 every year.
“The
fire company is the only food vendor on the carnivals ground,
which helps them raise a lot of money,” Robertson said.
Colorfest,
Inc. has also awards five scholarships annually.
“We’ve
given well over $100,000 away in scholarships,” Robertson
said.
Colorfest
also makes numerous donations to the town each year, in the
past paying for paving the parking lot at Community Park,
buying the town’s Christmas lights, new park benches,
a new flagpole for Community Park, playground equipment and
new trees for Memorial Park.
Robertson
said Colorfest usually gives the town the money in a lump
sum. However, she said Colorfest would start handing out the
money for specific items rather than giving the town a check
that goes into the town’s general fund.
“We’re
going to give the same amount, but we’re going to spread
it out a bit,” Robertson said.
May said
it is difficult to assess the economic impact on the town
because town government is not coordinating everything. Many
organizations operate on their own.
“Some
people pay their taxes with what they get renting their property,”
May said. “It’s the prime source of fundraising
for many organizations.”
Even
when the festival ends, the tourists leave behind good news
for many businesses. Many of the tourists will return to visit
the orchards or other town activities.
“When
Colorfest ends, hotels are booked already for next year,”
Robertson said.
