Ossian Days Committee puts out call for volunteers to continue beloved festival
By SYDNEY KENT
The Ossian Days Committee is calling on the community to help host the beloved annual festival this fall.
“Ossian Days thrives and can only survive thanks to volunteers willing to donate their time and energy to make our community-centered fair a reality,” Ossian Days Inc. Committee President A.J. Reynolds wrote on the festival’s Facebook page earlier this month. “Help is needed to make this year and future years possible.”
In a video call with The News-Banner from his home in South Bend, Reynolds explained that volunteers are particularly important this year as he prepares to step down from his role on the committee after this year’s festival.
“I was born on the committee it seems like,” Reynolds laughed. “My mom and dad have been a part of it all my life. I became a director while still in high school.”
Reynolds said his love for the festival and the town of Ossian has made it a difficult decision. However, with increased responsibilities as a full-time teacher and now a part-time professor, Reynolds does not have the same capacity.
“I don’t want to do a disservice to the festival because I can’t contribute new ideas,” Reynolds explained. “I love the festival. I am afraid that no one is going to step up and that Ossian Days will be at a transition point. I’ve been through that before at different times, and I want to get ahead of it this time.”
Reynolds explained that he has announced his departure from the role early hoping to be able to help the next leader transition smoothly.
“We’re in a really strong place. Now is the time to set someone up for success,” Reynolds said. “We just need help. Financially, there are a lot of people that want to have Ossian Days. However, there are not a lot of people who volunteer time to help make it happen. We’re lacking any interest in supporting the actual function.”
Right now, approximately six members of the committee remain active. In particular, more volunteers are needed to assist with the annual donut hole eating contest on Saturday, as well as help with the Saturday night tear-down of the event tent.
The theme for this year’s festival is transportation: past, present, and future. Reynolds said that though the Grand Marshall has yet to be announced, he has been chosen. The theme of transportation honors his former career as a school bus driver.
At 31-years-old, Reynolds has participated as a member of the committee for decades. Though he plans to step down as president, he said he will still be involved.
“I love Ossian, it’s my hometown,” Reynolds said. “I feel very passionate about Ossian Days and I want to see it succeed. I don’t know that I can focus on it and do it justice as president, but I’ll be around.”
The current committee members are: A.J. Reynolds, Todd Nash, Jack Barrick, Rose Ann Barrick, Penny Gibson, Quinn Gibson and Beverly Gryzch. Anyone interested in volunteering for the event may contact the committee via their Facebook page, online at Ossiandays.com, or by email at info@ossiandays.com.
Ossian Days is scheduled for September 12-14. The full schedule for Ossian Days, as well as the Grand Marshall, will be published at a later date.
sydney@news-banner.com
