Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Volunteers at heart of Pittsburg festival

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September 5, 2010

By Andra Bryan Stefanoni news@joplinglobe.com The Joplin Globe Sun Sep 05, 2010, 09:54 PM CDT

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Walking from event to event on Saturday — the day on which most of the annual Little Balkans Days activities are held — one could not help but see the best resource this community has to offer.

Its people.

Far from having an amazing natural wonder that would draw crowds from far-away states, and with no major Disney-like attraction or mall that is measured in square miles, the community instead seems to be bursting at the seams with people who get involved.

People who have talents to offer.

People who put in time planning all year for an event that is over in 72 hours but leaves a lasting impression.

If a 40-year native of Pittsburg were to have used an outsider’s eye over Labor Day weekend, that person might have seen countless volunteers hustling to make things happen.

And countless events that appealed to just about every interest and age.

And enough activities that were free or at a minimal charge — thanks to the sponsorship of local businesses and corporations — that one could spend an entire day being entertained for next to nothing.

But license plates from lots of other places indicated that the event no doubt was bringing in dollars that were spent on vendors, food, gas and lodging. Many of those out-of-towners were heard to comment on what a nice little town Pittsburg is, and perhaps they will return.

Throughout the weekend, they might have seen the impressive end result of the financial contributions and sweat equity of local families like the Webbs and Casalettos paying off at Immigrant Park — a beautifully manicured, historically appropriate tribute to the names inscribed on the floor of the Pritchett Pavilion and at the Miner’s Memorial. Saturday, it played host to some of the best entertainers in the area.

They might have witnessed the creative and artistic talents of so many of the community’s residents highlighted on stage in several venues, from Pittsburg Community Theater members in “That ’60s Show,” to bands like Prairie Moon at the street dance, to J.T. Knoll singing his iconic Balkans tribute, “Hard Crust Bread.”

They also might have observed creative and artistic talents behind the scenes, like Jamie Ortolani and Phil Ward, who worked countless hours with specialized equipment to make sure performers sounded and looked good.

They might have picked up kernels of the community’s history, which shone throughout the weekend on railroad rides to the Carona Depot and on tours of the Colonial Fox Theatre.

It should be noted that those for whom it was a paid job to contribute to the event did their jobs well, from recreational events to the sidewalk sale to law enforcement to the massive setup and cleanup required of such an event.

But certainly many of those who put in the most work remain unpaid and unnamed — those who shelved stacks and stacks of books at the library for days before the book sale; those who helped with the massive display of 202 quilt entries; those who served as committee members to make events happen.

What a proud moment for the community for a weekend well done.

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Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Volunteers at heart of Pittsburg festival

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