With the good weather just around the corner, many nonprofits are busy planning their fundraising events to help fund their annual programming. These events have a dual purpose. First, they provide the necessary revenue for the organization so they can continue to do great work for us in Boulder City, thereby increasing our quality of life. Second, special events attract guests from Southern Nevada to our community and provide much-needed revenue to businesses in our community. When the business core is healthy, we see benefits across the city.
I think it should have had a third major benefit: providing fun entertainment for each of us as residents. I know we all look forward to our hometown Christmas celebration, the kids can’t wait to dress up and load up on candy pillowcases at Trunk or Treat, the moms are counting down the days until Art in the Park where they can escape a while enjoying art, and parents are always eager to see what cars will be on display at the Wurst Festival.
I’m sure you know all the behind the scenes work that goes into planning, preparing and producing events of this size in Boulder City. Many staff and volunteer hours are involved in all events. City Council staff must be fully involved in the process from authorization to execution of street closures.
There are many scheduled meetings and time spent seeing the event through to the dreaded cleanup. Then the process begins again: planning for the following year, often before the props and bins are put away from this year’s event.
Wurst Festival efforts benefit Boulder City High School’s senior prom. It’s an iconic event that has become a right of passage for all Boulder City graduates. The Boulder City Sunrise Rotary spends many hours making sure the Wurst Festival is a success and provides not only entertainment that day, but an amazing and safe night right after the students graduate next spring.
This year’s Wurst Festival will also include an antiques show in its lineup, with the ever-popular live auction, silent auction, and we can’t forget the ever-important brat. It’s September 24th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., so mark your calendar.
Art in the Park, October 1st and 2nd, is Boulder City’s largest non-profit event and provides much-needed revenue to support the worthy efforts of Boulder City Hospital. I remember the cute “pink ladies” who ran the food booths when I was a kid. It has certainly evolved and expanded into a wonderful weekend of fine arts and crafts that offers something for everyone.
I’ve already received my annual phone call to ask if the Pumpkin Lady will be there and if so, what time should they come and line up so they don’t sell out before they get there. PS you better do it by 8am or you will leave empty handed. It usually sells out by 10am, but that’s our little secret.
Trunk or Treat, October 22nd from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, is back in action after a COVID pivot. It seems like we’ve been going around in circles a lot for special events, and being able to get the kids walking around the park circle in their cute outfits again is going to be glorious.
This year we will have a costume parade leading up to the costume contest, so be sure to line up for the 5:30pm start under the balloon arch. Trunk or Treating will be a one-way haunt and judging will take place as all contestants pass through the starting arch. There will be three bounce houses for different age groups, interactive games and also the beloved ride.
This year, if you bring candy to hand out from the trunk (decorated or not), you can set it up starting at 3:30 p.m. and you’ll receive 50 percent off your $20 per car entry. All activities are included in the entrance fee.
Money raised at this event goes towards free Christmas events such as the annual Community Tree Lighting, Santa Photo Party and Santa’s Electric Night Parade.
Here’s a big thank you to all of you for consistently supporting local nonprofits in some way. Whether you are a sponsor, donor, attendee or volunteer, you all make a difference and help make life in Boulder City pretty special.
Boulder City Chamber of Commerce CEO Jill-Rowland Lagan is the third of four generations in Boulder City. He loves to cook, water ski and hang out with his family. His personal motto is “A diamond is just a lump of coal that worked well under pressure.”
