DIXFIELD — The Dixfield Main Street Outdoor Market is in jeopardy of being called off because of a lack of personnel.
Norine Clarke, who with her husband, Ralph, have spearheaded the communitywide celebration for nearly 20 years, said the organizing committee is down to two or three.
“There’s just not enough people to do all that needs to be done,” Norine said Tuesday afternoon. Usually, the applications are sent out to food vendors, nonprofit groups and others in February. Not this year.
“We weren’t sure what we would do,” Norine said. “We’ve held off making a decision because the community benefits in so many ways from the event.”
The market, always held on the third Sunday in August, has had as many as 90 vendors. It starts in the Bangor Savings Bank parking lot and is set up along both sides of Main Street to Old Chapel Antiques. Sometimes, musical performances take place in the gazebo or along the flea market route.
Funds raised from renting spaces, once advertising, postage, and other costs are paid, goes toward a myriad of local activities such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Halloween Walk, Santa’s Helpers, area food pantries, and many others.
“It’s a worthwhile thing. Everyone benefits,” Norine said.
The Clarkes are also looking for someone to eventually take over organizing the market.
“We can’t do it forever. The store has been the hub where people ask questions, use our post office box,” she said of their Log Cabin Craftworks in the center of town.
The charge for a space for the Aug. 15 event may rise to $20 because the organizing committee recently learned that event insurance is required. The town, as a sanctioning entity, carries liability insurance, but the additional coverage is also required, Norine said.
A 5K adult and a 1 mile children’s foot race are also part of the community events with the outdoor market.
Those who want to help the committee now and on Aug. 15 are asked to contact the Clarkes at 562-8816. They must know whether there will be enough people to help by the end of March. If volunteers don’t step forward, the event will be canceled.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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- Norine and Ralph Clarke check the list of tasks that must be completed if the annual Dixfield Main Street Outdoor Market takes place in August. Without the help of additional volunteers, the community event will be canceled.
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