Farm-City Days committee resigns

The future of Iola’s Farm-City Days has been put in doubt.
Mike Jewell, former Farm-City Days committee member, said the committee has resigned en masse.
“This isn’t a call for new volunteers, but the beginning of its end if someone doesn’t come forward,” Jewell said.
The plan is to hand the reins over to a non-profit organization, or the celebration will cease.
“The celebration has been in need of new blood, and the committee asked for volunteers a few years ago,” Jewell said. “But it’s time for another organization to take on the entire project.”
Jewell said committee members are willing to work with whoever steps forward, but they “are too tired to do all the work.”
“The committee has tried to stay true to the original intent by bringing the farm and its concerns to town with farm displays and activities,” Jewell said.
Farm-City Days’ origin dates to 1971 when Farm Bureau members wanted to bring farm communities closer together. A city celebration and farm tours were scheduled.
Later the Jaycees and Iola Area Chamber of Commerce joined the effort.
The celebration offers a mixture of industrial tours, children’s games, parade, craft booths, food booths, movie night, street dance, musical performers, car and implement shows, and a parade.
Those interested in taking on the project should contact Jewell at 365-6166.

THE UPHEAVAL is nothing new.
Seven committee members resigned in 2008 after fielding complaints about moving the annual fall festival from the courthouse square to Riverside Park. (The celebration returned to downtown, with several new organizers, in 2009.)
Another call for action in 2012 brought additional volunteers after the committee once again had trouble drumming up help.
Jewell’s message is simple: “If the Farm-City Days celebration is important to you, then you need to step forward in the next 30 days.”