Get a job: Gala Days looking for leaders

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Berwick’s “small town fair” depends on an energetic and extended team of volunteers to make Labour Day’s Gala Days weekend happen year after year.

Fair president Mike Mason, at the helm as co-president for a few years and president on his own for the last two years, says it’s a good team.

“If everyone does what they’re supposed to do, it all falls into place.”

Mason has indicated this September’s fair will be his last as president, leaving the committee lots of time to groom a new leader – or bring in some fresh ideas – before the annual meeting in November. Now is a good time for anyone interested in the group’s work to get involved, watching the countdown preparations and getting a feel for the fair’s real goals.

“It’s for the kids, for the rink,” Mason says. “When we are able to give money to those groups every year in November, it’s worth it.”

Gala Days’ events are run by volunteers, and activities and booths turn in half their proceeds to the committee. They are then invited to request funding from the committee once all the bills are paid, and disbursements are made at the annual meeting based on youth participants, program needs and budgets and how the weekend went.

“Twenty to $25,000 is a good year,” Mason says. “It makes a real difference.”

The Gala Days committee meets next July 21 at 7 p.m. at the town hall, with meetings Monday evenings as the fair gets closer. Anyone interested in watching the committee, volunteering or finding out more about roles as large as the president’s are invited to come along, or call the Berwick Recreation Department, 538-8616.