If we all pull together, Hamtramck’s festival can be saved
Maybe last week we rushed too quickly to say that this year’s Hamtramck Labor Day Festival should be canceled since the city had to lay off its special events coordinator.
While we still think it pays to have a professional in charge of running a festival of this size, something’s come up to change our mind.
A group of young enthusiastic and connected people have stepped up to volunteer to organize this year’s festival. Judging by what they had already planned out and where they wanted to take the festival, and the fact that the mayor and city manager are on board, it just might work.
The group is connected to a lot of local folks who have promised to donate their time and services, and even city officials have said they will pitch in all they can.
Bottom line, it looks like this could not only work but be a success, albeit on a scaled-down level.
We have a story in this issue about some of the details being talked about. We’re sure you’ll agree once you read it that these volunteers are on the right path.
The important thing to keep in mind is that a lot of people from outside the city are expecting the festival. If we hold off this year and wait for better times, we may forever lose that audience.
Hamtramck needs the festival. We need to promote the city, and we need to feel good about ourselves, especially in these financially trying times.
4 Responses to If we all pull together, Hamtramck’s festival can be saved
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Dan Finwall
June 19, 2010 at 9:17 am
Hamtramck does need the festival to promote all of the great things in and around Hamtramck. I know Rachel Karpinski and the others will do a great job.
As a former Hamtramck resident I know it is special to come back home and there are thousands of people who feel the same. The business’ benefit and the image of Hamtramck benefits. It has always been a great festival after Mayor Kozaren started it in 1980. Dan Finwall, Pleasant Ridge
Roger
June 21, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I look forward to the day when visitors begin to compare our yearly festival to mardi gras. tons of fun, activities and business. people stay in towns where they enjoy themselves and we could use some help holding on to our citizens. wonder if we could have a “come back home” incentive, like if someone moved away within the past 5 years and moved back they could get a tax break on the house they purchase. sure we need all the taxes we can get to keep in budget but this would still give us extra money just not as much. example: jack frat sold his house in 2006 and has been renting in warren and decides a home is cheaper than renting. he buys a house for $20,000, and instead of paying $600 in taxes, he pays $300 for the first 3 years. comments?
Paru
June 21, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Wow, giving tax breaks to those who abandoned Hamtramck.
and hiking them on those who stayed.
Wonderful !!!!
roger
July 2, 2010 at 3:47 pm
its a twisted world, sometimes you need twisted solutions