HAMPDEN, Maine — Days after a final call for volunteers went out, it appears that Hampden Children’s Day might go on after all, a former town councilor who is helping recruit people for the event said Thursday.
“We’ve had some good responses and folks have contacted me that are interested in taking part with the committee work and we’ve also had some businesses that have called hoping to help get it back on track,” Janet Hughes said.
Those who have stepped forward will hold an organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Hampden branch of Camden National Bank at 58 Main Road North, Hughes said. The meeting is open to anyone else interested in helping.
If there is adequate interest, committee officers also might be elected, Hughes said.
The Children’s Day group then will meet with the Hampden Town Council’s services committee next month with a status report and a recommendation, she said.
A shortage of volunteers in recent months prompted discussions about canceling the 2015 edition of Children’s Day, arguably the community’s largest annual family event.
An organizational meeting in February drew only two people, far from the number needed to put on a daylong event that usually features a parade, fireworks, field games, concessions and other activities, according to the Children’s Day Facebook page.
This year would mark the 36th so far that Children’s Day has been held. The only year it did not go on, also due to a dearth of volunteers, was 2001, according to Bangor Daily News archives.
For information or to volunteer, email Hughes at jhughes@hughesbrosinc.com or call her at 768-1396 or 942-0292.