Carlsbad and the Big Event

There was a meeting at the Civic Center last week of people who would like to organize an Annual Festival for Carlsbad that would combine some of our smaller events. Some of these events seem to be fading. There is the idea that combining smaller events into a Big Event would be a good idea. Too many small events lose the attention of the public. At one time the Combined Art Affair and Car Affair attracted a big crowd. Some of the Big Events we had in the past were very successful, and drew people from out of town to Carlsbad.
A Big Event, even combining small events into a Big Event, takes Community Cooperation and a dedicated group of voluteers. Carlsbad can do this, but everyone will have to work together. And the younger businessmen in town need to take the lead.
Carlsbad has in the past pulled off several different Big Events. I spoke with some of those responsible for the Alfalfafests in the 80s. The Alfalfafests were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Although they don’t have exact records of volunteer hours, a person for whom I have the utmost respect estimates that over a 3 or 4 month period, there were approximately 60 volunteers who contributed around 80 hours each. Some spent less time and some more, as with any volunteer event, but it took approximately 1400 man hours to successfully produce each 2 - 3 day event.
One of the things that made the Big Events possible in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, was a group of young businessmen who had been “schooled” in the need to volunteer by groups like the Jay Cees (Junior Chamber of Commerce). The JC Fairs of the 70s and 80s were a training platform for community organizational activism. The once young men of this organization have matured into Carlsbad’s community leaders. They may not be on the front page, but these are people who know how to work behind the scenes and get things done. Some of these “old” Jay Cees are now Sheriff’s Posse members.
The Sheriff's Posse hosts the AJRA Rodeo every summer. The Posse has a membership of approximately 120, of these 60 are active workers, and a core group of 15/20 organizes the majority of the work done. The planning for the next rodeo begins about the time this year's rodeo ends. Most of the core group have been working in the same capacity for several years, and have a mental plan before the event begins. It takes less people to get the job done when they have done the same task for several years.
Now they are bringing a new event to Carlsbad. The Sheriff's Posse will be hosting the 4-H State Rodeo Finals here on Labor Day Weekend. There will be around 300 to 350 people attending from all over the state, and it will be a 3 day event. This will be a major boost to the Carlsbad economy. The Sheriff's Posse needs to be congradulated for their hard work, and dedication. This is a great example of how one organization can benefit the entire community.