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PITTSBURG —
Little Balkans Days has passed, and organizers say they’ve learned some lessons from the rainy intrusion of Hurricane Isaac.
Rain on Saturday morning kept some Pittsburg residents home and caused some events, such as the baby contest and YMCA Dance, to be canceled. Local bands Area 51 and LiveWire were relocated from the main stage at 7th and Broadway to Club 505, and the John Yoger Polka Band was moved from Pritchett Pavilion at 2nd and Broadway to Memorial Auditorium.
“We didn’t have a good enough indoor backup plan,” Little Balkans Days Board President Brett Dalton said. “That’s definitely something we’ll have next year.”
Past President Jon Bartlow said rain is an issue the board rarely has to deal with.
“I don’t think anyone on the current board has dealt with that kind of weather,” Bartlow said of deciding to cancel some of the events. “We felt it was in the best interests of the people involved.”
But all was not lost. Despite the rain, 71 vendors showed up to the craft fair and the spaghetti eating contest went on as planned.
“The people that were there had a good time from what I heard,” Bartlow said. “There were people at the pavilion all day.”
On Sunday, the bocci tournament went on as planned and the train ride to Carona and chicken dinner was sold out. Additionally, more than 100 people turned out for the fishing derby in Lincoln Park Sunday night.
“After the weather cleared up, we saw an increase in the number of people who came out,” Dalton said. “It was a great way to end the festival. I’d consider it a success, considering the rain.”
Dalton said part of the reason organizers were able to hold the festival together was the strong working relationship the festival committee members have with each other.
“I want to thank everyone who was on the committee,” Dalton said. “Everyone was a big help. This is a great thing for the community, and we want to keep working to make it better.”
Dalton said the committee has been considering adding a carnival in the coming years.
“The idea has been kicked around,” he said. “The board is trying to think outside the box in terms of what to offer. We’re always trying to draw more people.”
Little Balkans Days has passed, and organizers say they’ve learned some lessons from the rainy intrusion of Hurricane Isaac.
Rain on Saturday morning kept some Pittsburg residents home and caused some events, such as the baby contest and YMCA Dance, to be canceled. Local bands Area 51 and LiveWire were relocated from the main stage at 7th and Broadway to Club 505, and the John Yoger Polka Band was moved from Pritchett Pavilion at 2nd and Broadway to Memorial Auditorium.
“We didn’t have a good enough indoor backup plan,” Little Balkans Days Board President Brett Dalton said. “That’s definitely something we’ll have next year.”
Past President Jon Bartlow said rain is an issue the board rarely has to deal with.
“I don’t think anyone on the current board has dealt with that kind of weather,” Bartlow said of deciding to cancel some of the events. “We felt it was in the best interests of the people involved.”
But all was not lost. Despite the rain, 71 vendors showed up to the craft fair and the spaghetti eating contest went on as planned.
“The people that were there had a good time from what I heard,” Bartlow said. “There were people at the pavilion all day.”
On Sunday, the bocci tournament went on as planned and the train ride to Carona and chicken dinner was sold out. Additionally, more than 100 people turned out for the fishing derby in Lincoln Park Sunday night.
“After the weather cleared up, we saw an increase in the number of people who came out,” Dalton said. “It was a great way to end the festival. I’d consider it a success, considering the rain.”
Dalton said part of the reason organizers were able to hold the festival together was the strong working relationship the festival committee members have with each other.
“I want to thank everyone who was on the committee,” Dalton said. “Everyone was a big help. This is a great thing for the community, and we want to keep working to make it better.”
Dalton said the committee has been considering adding a carnival in the coming years.
“The idea has been kicked around,” he said. “The board is trying to think outside the box in terms of what to offer. We’re always trying to draw more people.”
