The 2025 version of the Heritage Fair has been saved, at least in theory; at least on paper. Public outcry and an influx of new business interest in the once-canceled event convinced organizers to revive the effort.
But now, the fair needs to be built from the ground up, in eight short weeks. The time to step forward is now for all those who complained about and criticized the decision; begged for another chance; promised to help and offered suggestions. It’s time to make good on the talk.
Dundalk Heritage Fair Association executive director Mark Krysiak has put out the plea for volunteers, vendors and crafters and has announced a volunteer open house to allow community members to officially volunteer and get specific assignments.
The open house will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Patapsco Masonic Lodge, 2 Trading Place in downtown Old Dundalk.
Volunteers are needed in the administration, admissions, construction, electrical, hospitality, security and ticketing departments, according to a notice published by the organization.
For more information, or to volunteer if you can’t attend the meeting, contact volunteer coordinator Michelle Gielner, mgielner@dundalkheritagefair.com.
Food vendors of all kinds (think burgers, pizza, pit beef, ice cream, lemonade, ethnic foods) are needed as well. If your business in interested in participating, contact Chantell, clake@dundalkheritagefair.com.
Efforts are also underway to provide a robust arts and crafts area. Crafters interested in offering their wares should contact Amanda, amccartney@dundalkheritagefair.com.
At the risk of sounding snarky, now is the time for all the critics and naysayers to step away from their devices and make good on all the talk, all the comments, all the promises made. Those comments and promises played a role in the decision to revamp the fair, and it would be a shame to see the community is all talk and no action.
I worked with volunteer-driven organizations for a couple decades, and it didn’t take long to see a definite pattern in “participation.” A plea for help would go out, the excuses would roll in and, in the end, it was the same handful of tired, overworked and under-appreciated volunteers doing all the work. Folks wanted their children to participate in activities, but no one wanted to help provide those activities. Some parents were simply looking for inexpensive babysitting; a place to drop their kids and make them someone else’s responsibility for a few hours.
The fair is in a similar predicament. Community residents have made it very clear they don’t want the event to end. But there’s more to staging such an event than simply showing up the day of, paying admission, walking the grounds, buying a sandwich and enjoying some music. Thousands of hours of volunteer recruitment and training, logistics and sweat equity are already on the books before the first paid customer goes through the gates.
Step up, Dundalk! The fair organizers believed you when you promised to help if they’d follow through on this year’s event.
Don’t let them down.
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