By HOLLY GASKILL
In the last 12 years, Erin Prible has thrown numerous surprise parties.
She’s made celebrating others’ successes a key part of her role as executive director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, in addition to connecting community members and promoting local businesses.
And yet, nothing could have prepared her for the surprise that awaited outside her office door Wednesday morning. Following Prible’s example, members of the Bluffton Free Street Fair Association ambushed her office, balloons and cookies in tow, to announce that Prible would serve as this year’s grand marshal for the fair.
“We would like to request your presence and your honor to be the grand marshal of 2024,” stated Heather Morgan, representing the association.
A visibly shocked Prible gasped. “Are you kidding? Oh my gosh, I’d be honored!” She quickly added jokingly, “You didn’t have anyone else to pick?”
Prible has steered the Chamber of Commerce since 2012, through which she led efforts to strengthen local businesses, increase community partnerships and offer professional development opportunities. Among these accomplishments have been the creation of Wells County Women in Leadership and Wells County Drug Task Force. Most recently, the Chamber was received two awards from the Indiana Chamber Executives Association for Excellence in Innovation.
“Erin is a leader in our community, and we are thrilled to spotlight her in this capacity,” Morgan told The News-Banner.
“Looking back at the people who have been honored over the years — this is very humbling,” Prible paused to collect herself. “This is very unexpected. I never would have guessed anything like this. There’s so many other deserving people to be recognized.”
Being a Bluffton native, Prible was overwhelmed at the honor of being selected as grand marshall. “I’m a little speechless,” she continued. “The fair has been part of my life since I was little. We lived just down on Johnson Street, so the fair was a tradition for us, night after night, being able to come as a family and partake.” She added with a laugh, “As a kid, the Mouse Game was my absolute favorite — it probably still is one of my favorite games.”
That said, Prible also found a new love for Street Fair as she moved back to the community.
“To me, Street Fair is like a reunion — you see people you haven’t seen for so many years, and you run into them,” Prible smiled. “My husband and I take great joy in just walking up and down the streets … Being able to reconnect with people is probably the greatest joy for us as adults during Street Fair. It’s such a staple in our community and such a great asset. It’s such a cool thing.”
The 2024 Bluffton Free Street Fair will be Sept. 17-21. Prible and her husband, Mark, will lead the Opening Night Parade on Tuesday. This year’s theme, “Passport to Fun” is also inspired by Prible and the Chamber’s “passport” promotions of local businesses.
holly@news-banner.com
