The Virtues of Virtual Events

A week ago Thursday we made the call, reluctantly, to cancel the remaining events surrounding the First ever “Great Missouri RiverFest” in Bismarck North Dakota. Ever the creative genius, Adrian Jacobs conceived of the idea of a festival on the Missouri River at Bismarck which would be a family friendly event highlighting the talents of the region’s youth (of all ages) as storytellers and musicians, and benefitting local charities, especially those focused on youth. The festival was approved for a run of five years commencing with the event which was scheduled for this weekend. Dozens of volunteers put in hundreds of hours of work to prepare for the first ever event.  We got involved with the Leadership Team, and last October  did an “Idea Hierarchy” visioning and planning workshop for the lead volunteers from several North Dakota businesses and organizations. The entire stretch of Sertoma Park, 11 shelters featuring Foods of the world, information about great organizations, family fun events, children’s and adult musical stages, a major national concert act as a headline event, and a parade of lights at sunset. A flotilla of lit up boats led by the paddle wheeler Lewis and Clark riverboat. Well, by spring there were dicisions made that there was to be no riverboat season this year, major musical acts were cancelling tours, and it became doubtful that street fair food vendors would be able to sell food.  A decision was made to proceed as though we’ll be able to have an event. Over the next couple of months the expectations continued to diminish, and finally 9 days ago a call was made to cancel the event for community and volunteer health concerns. Undeterred, some of the volunteers joined in a Zoom Virtual RiverFest this afternoon. We shared stories, and ideals and general good nature and optimism! (They even put up with several of my very old jokes!)  Though it was not what anyone had anticipated at the outset, I reckon we can get to call the event “A Success” because we did it. Thanks to all who participated today and in the prior months to make this happen. And thanks in advance to those who support the terrific organizations that this event intends to help. We did it! And we can do it again. And, next year it will be better!