Help keep small towns alive.

Didn't tell ya that we stayed in your town at the Bolling-Wilson a little over a year ago. Spent some of our hard earned yankee dollars at the pizza place across the street. If I remember right they were finishing up the streets down there. Nice town!
Gary

 

Didn't want my wife know about the type of people I associate with!!

Gary

 

Our town/village hosts annual festivals with the covered bridge festival being the biggest. Car shows, annual street fair, pancake breakfasts and safety force demonstration days seem to keep the community "glued" together. The key to having success with the events is someone with a passion for the area and not someone looking to line their or their buddie's pockets. Being able to identify the reasons for attendance drops when they occur and quickly make adjustments for the next year.

Also, our area has some neat historical events. One being a train wreck when a trussel collapsed in the 1800s. There is a documentary being filmed about it right now. A couple of friends are "acting" (sitting on a bench at the depot), in this. Of course they are doing it for free. My wife went with the one girl to a thrift store last weekend to pick out some period looking clothing. The girl spent her own money. There is no wardrobe budget for the film. This film may or may not be a viral success. I have no doubt, if done well, it will draw people in. There is rumored to have been gold that was never found on that train.

This is the kind of mentality it takes. Selfless people working for the community. Unfortunately, it seems younger generations think a digital community is enough for them.

 

In our area a small town of ten permanent residents hosts thousands of people each year because of the orca (killer) whales. The two resorts draw people from all over the world who once they have taken a whale watching trip, travel around to the other communities that are within 50 miles. Our First Nations communities provide access to their culture through art, museums and dancing. And then there is salmon fishing beyond compare up here as well.

 

Local Businesses with Local Patrons are what keeps small towns alive. Sometimes, it's one company, mine or factory that keeps a small town 'alive'. Coal mining decline has been the death of many a small town in Southern Ohio. Loss of manufacturing isn't helping either. It's almost as if the Cities are trying to force people to move to them...chasing the money.

 

There used to be an awesome event every year here in my hometown. It was called The Zane's Trace Commemoration. (it wasn't really about tourism...it was for us, to celebrate our Community and History) It had been started in the 30s and had a resurgence in the late 60s, and ran through till around the early 90s. I loved it as a kid. Big parade, all kinds of activities. The river that runs through town played a big part. Usually filled with boats during the proceedings. My personal favorite was called the 'Anything That Floats But a Boat Race, which took place in a 1/2 mile canal that runs through downtown. There were other fun games as well...tire rolling, frying pan toss, food eating contests, bicycle races, Rubber Duck race etc. Oh and the FOOD! Just a great time in a small town!

Attendance started to wane in the late 80s as I was growing up, eventually turning into a more 'carnival' type atmosphere. Then it was confined to one side of the River and died a slow and ugly death over about a 5 year span. I still don't know what happened exactly, but dearly miss that one fantastic weekend each summer of my youth. Practically the whole County would shut down and participate with strong support from local businesses who sponsored many of the main events with some even forming their own teams of employees to compete in the events with great rivalries.

A few years after it's demise, we started hosting a Gus Macker Basketball event. It wasn't really for the Community...just something to generate dollars. Its gone now too.

Chalk it up as another reason #ImissThe80s

 

Couldn't resist...here are some pictures over the years....


















Best of times!

 

“Unfortunately, it seems younger generations think a digital community is enough for them.”

This is gonna be a tough nut to crack.

 

A lot of it is because kids are alone, I mean very few parents having five to seven kids anymore. Kids are not getting same life lessons..

BUT kids are kids.. A town in Vermont just shut down a street put up hay bales and loaded it with snow.. It will be a packed town..

40 years ago your parents let you roam neighborhood, now safety concerns.. Make a community event.. Make it fun..

 

Or try to appeal to the affluent who want peace, quiet and privacy. Then your town doesn't have to thrive beyond catering to the whims of the rich and not-so-famous. If your state requires a minimum percentage of affordable housing keep it zoned near the commercial district and keep the rest zoned for deep pockets.

 

I lived in/on farm/rural town/city/big city - one thing they had all in common was a farmers market.
Actually on the farm, they brought their produce to the farmers market.


One thing i noticed around here and more rural places you'll need:

- a good place to get some decent food, some local grub.

- bar with live music.

- shops, bakery and such.

- sport activities

- Incase you got some breath takin nature, a few vaccant rooms for tourist, some bed and breakfast kinda stuff.

- mibe a museum, depending on what your area is famous for.
I remember beeing to places around here and also abroad where they had like farm museums with all sorts of old days machines and such on display.

- The Internet can be a pain in the back as much as being a blessing: Advertising you Town!

Theres proably a few more things i cant think of right now.. just my 2 cents from across the pond.