Fort Branch forced to cancel annual festival | News

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Fort Branch forced to cancel annual festival

Submitted by Allyson Kraemer, Reporter

Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 6:44pm

Topics: News

Photo courtesy of the South Gibson Star-Times

FORT BRANCH, IN (WFIE)-

For more than 40 years the town of Fort Branch has been hosting a popular festival.

Last year's fall festival was postponed until June to give organizers time to raise more money and plan bigger events. But now that festival has been canceled.

Organizers say they simply don't have enough volunteers to help plan and run the festival.

When we announced the canceled festival, many Fort Branch residents said they were disappointed to see a town tradition dwindle.

Organizers say they have been working with people in the community to bring back things that they say the festival has been missing.

Things like carnival rides, that organizers say are already scheduled.

Those organizers say they their goal is to really revive the festival and get the community involved.

Ralph Hillyard lives across the street from the Fort Branch Community Park and remembers all the years he took his children to the event. He fondly remembers when his son got to go on his first helicopter ride.

"I remember the first festival and it was a pretty big deal then we had a parade and several units in the parade and the kids were always looking forward to it. Of course, living right across from the park here my kids ran back and forth all three days that it was there," Hillyard said.

Organizers say for now the festival is canceled, but if they get enough volunteers, they'll be able to have the event in June.

If you'd like more information on how to volunteer, visit the Fort Branch Community Pride Facebook page, here or email the organization at FortBranchCommunityPride@gmail.com.