Boykins PumpkinFest was great, say organizers
Published 11:04 am Friday, October 25, 2013
BOYKINS—In spite of cloudy skies and occasional sprinkles, the Boykins PumpkinFest has been called a success by those who helped organize it.
“It turned out to be a nice day,” said Denise Byrum, event chairwoman. “We were worried about the rain, but it held off until after the festival was over with. That was really nice.”
Byrum acknowledged that attendance wasn’t like last year’s 3,000-plus, “but it wasn’t bad either,” she said, and guessed there were 2,000 or so people. “Just a raw estimate.”
Eric Coard, who’s on the Boykins Main Street Initiative, said he thinks the attendance was “just shy of what we had last year. It just didn’t feel quite as much.”
Overall, though, Byrum is pleased by the turnout and activities.
“Everyone seemed to have a good time,” she said. “It seemed to be a successful day.”
Asked what she and the fest committee might do differently in 2014, Byrum said they’d probably be looking for some more attractions next year.
“People did ask about Pumpkin Chunkin, but maybe next year,” she added.
As for profit from the event, that won’t be known until the meeting this Tuesday.
“All that money goes to help in revitalizing the town,” said Byrum, giving examples of getting bigger and better signs or light poles, whatever will make Boykins more eye-appealing.”
Coard agreed with Byrum’s assessment.
“I think we had a pretty good turn out considering the weather was a bit iffy,” he said. “Once the drizzle worked its way out, I think everybody had a good day. The merchants said the same, and that’s really what’s it all about.”
Coard did not want to speculate on how much money was raised, but thinks that the profit will be better than last year.
Ultimately, that money will used by the Boykins Main Street Initiative for such projects as maintaining store facades.
The biggest challenge each years is pulling in volunteers, said Coard, who added that he spent much of the day at the Cumberland Millwork stage announcing the musical performers.
“I had a blast,” he said about the day.