Gum Spring Library Family Fun Walk is Fun Indeed

by deborah on April 24, 2012

in Book Reviews, Charities-Community Involvement, EVENTS! Advice & How to, Uncategorized

   Last year we braved a cold wind and overcast skies to hold our annual Family Fun Walk for the Gum Spring Library.  But, this year, we got a big reprieve.

There was something for everyone at the 3rd annual FROGS Family Fun Walk on April 21, 2012 for the new Gum Spring Library!

There was something for everyone at the 3rd annual FROGS Family Fun Walk on April 21, 2012 for the new Gum Spring Library!

     

   The storm that would dump several inches just to the north of us, and plow us into 48 hours of (needed) rain, mercifully held off just long enough for the FROGS (Friends of the Gum Spring Library) to enjoy a beautiful day for our 3rd annual event.

Walkers and participants in the 3rd Annual "FROGS" Family Fun Walk enjoyed great weather.

Walkers and participants in the 3rd Annual "FROGS" Family Fun Walk enjoyed great weather.

 

 

 

Every year walkers get a t-shirt, a goodie bag stuffed with items from local businesses, fruit, snacks and water.  The moon bounce is always popular and the participants are happy to wait in line for  chance to get their faces expertly painted by our “face artist.”   This year, we even had LIVE entertainment provided by Bach 2 Rock!

Another successful Family Fun Walk for the Gum Spring Library.

Another successful Family Fun Walk for the Gum Spring Library.

    We can’t wait until NEXT year when the library will be open and we can all retire to the stacks after our stride through the neighborhood.

We had a looooong line of walkers! It was quite a sight!

Some of Deb’s random thoughts on creating a Successful Community Event:

  • PLAN, PLAN, PLAN way in advance.  The FROGS start working on their April Family Fun Walk event in December!
  • Look into what licenses may be needed as far in advance as possible so there are no last-minute surprises that could squash your event
    FROGS - Friends of the Gum Spring Library

    Everybody waited patiently for face painting!

  • Break down the event into specific tasks and then assign those tasks to reliable people.  Call those people 48 hours beforehand to

 

make sure they can still carry out their assignments. 

  • If you don’t provide specifics for completing a task in advance, don’t nag about  how that task is achieved after the fact.  Volunteers don’t appreciate micro-managing when its too late.  Instead, make a note on how that task should be achieved  for  whoever gets that task next year.    
  • Have good signage.  There are always regulations on signage in any community.  Just find out what the those regulations are and do the best you can. (exploit the loopholes if necessary on the day of event, and just take down the signs immediately afterward.)  

 

Arcola Fire Department Volunteers.

Arcola Fire Department Volunteers.

 

  • Take advantage of as many area newsletters, magazines,  newspaper listings and area cable TV listings as possible to get the word out about your event.  

 

  • And make sure you create and utilize an email invitation list of everyone you know.  If you provide a way for the reader to opt out of future emails, they generally will not object and usually will not opt out.
  • Don’t forget clean-up.  Leave the area the way you found it.
  • Have a post-event de-brief.  Take good notes and keep those notes where they can be pulled out for the next event and read again.
  • Think of as many ways as possible to THANK YOUR SPONSORS – that is, only if you want them back next time!

Everybody was in a great mood and enjoyed the event.

And, speaking of sponsors, we’d like to thank those that supported our 2012 Family Fun Walk:

PLUS - 
 
(Note:  This is a private blog. Of course, the comments herein are those of Deborah Deal’s and do not reflect or represent any other member of the Friends of the Gum Spring Library or the Loudoun County library system. All photos copyright 2012 Deborah A. Deal.)

A FROG board member thinks he really IS turning into a Frog now! He's practicing his frog pounce position.


Always have lots of balloons for a Family event.

Always have lots of balloons for a Family event.

 

       

Face painting is sometimes even better on something other than the face!

Face painting is sometimes even better on something other than the face!

                       

                        

I'd rather have what you're having!

 

 

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Diane King April 25, 2012 at 1:48 PM

This looks like a great event. They are really lucky to have someone with your expertise on their team. I love the FROG theme. Our public library has a squirrel that represents the Live Oak Public Libraries.

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