Tehama - The Magazine

May 2017 , TEHAMA - THE MAGAZINE 17 Today, the committee meets for six months to keep things rolling, but a larger support system keeps the event thriving. Nearly 100 sponsors contribute money, product, services and equipment. Like Alcy Thorne and the Dairyville Prune Dippers who are so proud to be a part. And Casey and Michelle Hickok who provide the sound for the live entertainment. Add to that several hundred volunteers of all ages who work with parking, food booths, decorations, raffles, restrooms, children's activities, tear down, clean up, and more. Often entire families are involved. Becky Calkins and her mom Gail Riel joined the original team as a way to do something together and use their event planning skills. Four generations are now involved including Becky's two sons and their families. Joanne Carroll worked alongside her dad, Harvey Clark, at 17 festivals before he passed away in 2015. Harvey loved antique tractors and headed up the Festival's tractor parade. For Joanne's daughter Lindsey, remembering her grandfather in the parade is one of her favorite festival memories. Cyndi Gilles lives in Red Bluff and works in agriculture. She's always taken the lead organizing and growing what's considered the heart of the festival, the ag booth, under the big tent. Twenty years ago, the ag booth made less than $2,000 income and the committee celebrated. In 2016, it made more than $18,000. "We started with about eight bulk products and a few Sunsweet products," said Gilles. "Now we have over 60 products. It has truly become the Ag Marketplace." With the increase in income came an increase in scholarship money. In 1999 the Dairyville Community Club awarded its first five scholarships totaling $2,000. This year they are awarding 14 scholarships amounting to $19,100 to students who graduated from Lassen View as well as $5,500 to four upper division college students majoring in agriculture. In all, they will have awarded $222,500 to 155 Lassen View graduates and 50 upper division Tehama County students. Many of those scholarship recipients have volunteered at the event as children and young adults. Kathy Garcia has two children who received scholarships. Her oldest daughter loved helping in the information booth while her son enjoyed helping Helen Cantrell in the food booths. "As kids they loved working at the event," said Garcia. "They know the scholarship says this community is proud of you, and is cheering you on." Today the committee still strives for a festival that feels authentic. Early on, they learned a lot from Star Kennady about how to best attract and choose artisans and the need to keep things hand made. As much as possible, they wanted live entertainment, good food and something for all ages to do. Being held during October, the original committee knew they were taking a risk with

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