That means it's time for the annual summer Main Street Summer Concert Series. It starts tonight and goes through the month of June, with a July 4th spectacular and fireworks. And it's all free.
Tonight is The Texas Jamm Band (featuring members of George Strait's Ace In The Hole band). And it's free.
Now I don't know about you, or why you might choose to live in a smaller town, but events like this is EXACTLY why I want to live in a town like Gonzales. This is where neighbors come out, we have a beer, we laugh, we joke, we have a great time building bonds and coming together as a community. Did I mention it's free?
I'm a people watcher, and I love sitting and watching all the people come and go because of the work that Main Street has done for the last several years.
So change your plans if you have to, but head down to the squares tonight and come listen, dance, sing along, and have a great time. And yes, it's for the kids too! And best of all it's free!!! So even if you're broke like I always seem to be, you have no excuse.
Thanks Main Street!!!
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
It would be nice if the ad in the paper had the time that the music starts. Called the Chamber and they said they had to call earlier to find out also.
ReplyDeleteit would be nice if the chamber would take over the chores they should be doing ,aren't they supposed to be promoting this city? just what do they do?
DeleteCollect dues.
DeleteLooking back over the past 25 years or so, wasn't there a business and professional association because the Chamber wasn't up to it? Didn't the Chamber have a raffle and give a trip somewhere else as the prize? Does the Chamber promote "Shop Gonzales"? Didn't the Chamber used to sponsor a spring garden show and the directors used to serve hot dogs? Didn't the Chamber have an annual raffle and the prizes were Chamber dollars to be used at any business? Didn't the Chamber hae an annual dance? Why doesn't the Chamber no longer have an entry in the Come and Take It parade? Isn't Main Street set up to promote the downtown area because the Chamber doesn't? Is the Chamber office open on holidays (Not the old jail), but the Chamber? Of course not all is related to the Chamber manager, a lot is related to the chamber directors who just show up for a meeting, vote yes or no, and that's all.
DeleteWhile I agree that the chamber needs to make some changes, I have to say that some of the directors are trying. Gonzales resists change, and when changes are made they have to be small. And that is happening now. Crissy O'Neil works her behind off representing the chamber. She is at all the functions and events that the chamber is involved in, and puts in a lot of time.
DeleteChamber office? If I was King for a day..........
I am sure that Crissy is working hard. But it takes more than one director. It takes all of them. When I was on the board I had the same problem.
Deleteya'll want to see and hear some real entertainers,come on over to Luling where we do things in a big way.if its entertainers or main street ,we are moving forward,please come on over, you'll be more than welcome!
DeleteDear Anon 10:49
DeleteWe are not at battle with you on who has the better entertainer. If you are trying to compare this to your thump festival that is impossible. For example, Come and Take It is during football season, not summer. There is also more funding for the Thump than there is for CTI. The summer concert series just started a couple of years ago. It's something free to do, with good music and a laid back atmosphere. Not everyone wants to be at a crowded event.
Also everyone who works with these projects are FRIENDS. There are no rivals on the entertainment side of things. We all want the same thing, a fun festival where people can attend.
-Casey
This goes back to my point that we have multiple committees doing similar task, and I personally would love to see them come together so that a single committee is in charge of a task.
ReplyDeleteBill - you are soooo right about Crissy. She is a blessing to our town and bust her butt promoting the chamber.
As to what exactly the Chamber does for our town I'll leave that up to Mrs Hand or someone else from the Chamber to answer.
It would be nice if the Chamber would publish where the revenue from Come and Take It goes. Unless it is behind the scenes, it does not appear that there is much improvement in the event and it is not promoted nearly as much as nearby festivals (Watermelon Thump, Czilispiel, etc.). It seems odd that a towns the size of Luling Flatonia and Stockdale are able to get such bigger musical acts than Come and Take It. Do the 'powers that be' at the Chamber just not want to have the event progress to really bring in crowds? Because the potential is certainly there to do just that with the historical significance this town has.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I believe it's a case of we were burned once and now don't want to try again. I've heard stories of one where we had a decent name and then rain or something came and we were stuck with a bill. I won't swear to this!!!
DeleteBut you're right, if you're waiting for it to be big before you pay the piper it won't ever happen. CATI will have to spend the money on advertising and a couple of big names to show up for the event to ever make it big.
There is no reason, and I've said it before that Gonzales, CATI, and several other things in town couldn't be major draws, but we think to small, scared of change, and don't want to take a chance.
Oh, and because that's the way it's always been done. *Did you see me roll my eyes at that one?*
As for where the money goes? Not a clue, maybe someone from the chamber would like to enlighten us?
Dennis
When I had access to the information, the Chamber keeps nothing. The total overhead expenses (advertising, insurance, tents, chairs, tables, security, etc.) are allocated to each organization based on their NET profit for the event. The Come & Take It Association retains 5%. In some of the bad years, such as a rain out/blue norther, they did not take the 5%. You really need to see one of the reports as it has been a few years since I have seen one.
DeleteOne other comment about the net from C&TI. After all has been paid, the balance is distributed to the various organizations.
DeleteI was once curious as to how CTI was run.
ReplyDeleteWhat did I do about it? I got involved. I drive from North Austin (Because I no longer live in Gonzales) once a month to attend the meetings. I have slowly but surely talked some of my friends that live in Gonzales to get involved as well. Not only do I attend meetings but I’m constantly on the phone/email/text with others on the committee on ideas to make a better CTI. Success does not happen overnight but I do believe I have helped a little with my volunteering.
I helped create the Come and Take It facebook page, and twitter accounts to try and reach more people out there in the social media world.(http://www.facebook.com/ComeandTakeItCelebration)
( twitter @ComeAndTakeItTX)
We are also working on different outlets for advertising, for example I just received my email bids for a popular, well circulated magazine in Texas. Then there is the research to find different acts to be in the parade. Unfortunately some of those cost money so I have been looking for sponsors. Anyone want to sponsor a bagpipe group that is interested in playing?
The CTI meetings are open to everyone. If you would like to volunteer, we would love to see you! :)
I believe we can make this a fun and an exciting festival, but it will take time & support I have enjoyed volunteering so far, even when it does get overwhelming!
Thank you for posting the wonderful article about the summer series, I know Egon has worked really hard on this event and I love the positive feedback!
-Daisy Scheske
Thank you for the compliment. However there are MANY chamber board members that support the chamber and promote Gonzales every chance they get. I would specifically like to address the C&TI issues. I got on the C&TI committee 3 years ago basically because I had the same questions many of you do. Why can't we have so & so, why can't we do this or that?? One main issue is manpower. Volunteers. Or the lack thereof. 3 years ago when I joined, the people on this committee had been there for YEARS. And they continue to serve our community year after year and volunteer their time and sometime money out of their own pockets. I have been able to recruit a couple of people the past couple of years to help but by no means is it enough people to “pull off” some of the ideas we have.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, C&TI Assc. meets once a month, committee members are usually in contact daily via email/calls/text, brainstorming on how we can better the event or what task needs to be accomplished next.
The entertainment sub-committee, which I am on, started working in Dec 2011 to book the entertainment for C&TI 2012. We are trying to book bigger name acts, but we will always support our local talent and showcase them when possible. 2 years ago we brought back the Chicken Flying Contest. Last year we started eating contests. I think both of those were hits and will continue to grow. This year we are working on getting advertising out earlier and making sure it is distributed properly. Of course, there are things that we would like to do but the funding just isn’t there. However, we are progressing slowly, but we are getting better each year. The past 2 years ticket sales have been more than ever before. I hope this answers some of your questions.
Just please remember, these people that organize C&TI are volunteers and get no monetary reward. I know we all have opinions of how things could be better but please don’t bash those that are trying to make Gonzales better.
If you decide you would like to help, we would love to have you. Our next meeting is Thursday June 14th @ 5:30pm at the Chamber office.
The Main Street board is doing an amazing job and is to be commended.
Crissy O’Neal
To clearify, Crissy, you are the only person I know in the chamber and/or on the CATI board.
DeleteMain Street is doing a great job. I think I know one person on that board.
Thank you Crissy and Daisy for your answers and your support.
ReplyDeleteI believe there are several wanting change and who are thinking 'outside the box' on how to get things done in our Chamber, and I think if the community will support those individuals in these endeavors the rest of the Chamber and city will have no other recourse but to follow suit.
We just need to make sure they are given the support they need when the time comes.
And Crissy makes a point I've made here many times, if you're going to complain, make sure you're ready to back it up with some action. It does no good to whine about something if you're not willing to help make the change. It's why this blog got started in the first place, to help facilitate change in our community.
Dennis
get out and support-- the water safarie began yesterday,the 50th anniversary. I saw lynn adams taking pictures, jewell and eddie halamicek and tommy schurig down at the dam last evening offering their support.a record number of canoes have so far made it to the gonzales checkpoint.this is a main corridor for the race but so little exposure from the press.over 135 contestants,another record !
ReplyDeleteI think city officials want to keep it quite so they don't have to listen to the comments that Gonzales can't even complete a paddling trail in six years.
DeleteI went down there and had a great time. Of course it was nice seeing a friend of mine paddling down there.
DeleteIt was nice seeing all the teams down there pulling for their groups. My family had a great time!
Dennis
hey dennis, i think years ago gonzales had a team that finished,you are good at research,can you chech this out?
DeleteI think Tommy Schurig has done the Water Safari before.
DeleteWe went down there on Saturday, sat in the water and enjoyed talking with all of the out of town people. Nice event and yes I believe that Gonzales could maybe put forth more of a welcoming.
ReplyDeleteMore publicity would be nice and more people would be aware of it. It would be nice to recognize locals who are in or had been in the race because it is about a grueling and enduring race as one can attempt.
Deletei believe you are right about schurig and halamicik, seems like they finished 6th in their
Deleteclass years ago.
1st fatality of the 50 yr. water safari,brad ellis of dripping springs.died of hyponatremia,which is an unbalance of electrolits,all water and not enough salt and other needed minerals. victoria advocate for all the up to date safari info.
ReplyDeleteThe June concerts were great. All except one. The one this past Friday, June 29. Vince Vance was sorry. At least the music was not what I was expecting. And the sound system was very poor. We were sitting away from the stage because of the sun and heat, but previous weeks were great and we sat in the same place.
ReplyDeleteWe had to miss the last concert because of scout camp. But it seemed the feedback on Facebook was pretty positive.
DeleteDennis
The fireworks display last night was very nice. But the "effect" of the sound and light display was lost on the distance from where the fireworks were ignited and downtown Gonzales. The light display arrives first, and then a few seconds later the "boom".
ReplyDeleteLast year we were right there, parked along the road along with everyone else, watching the display at J B Wells Park. The display and sound was great.
I would hope that "Come & Take It" will take note of the fun and games that were enjoyed by all on July 4th and the June Concerts.
ReplyDeleteSpread out over Saturday and Sunday during "Come & Take It" would keep people on the square more than they are now in the afternoons of both days.
Sure, there is a crowd on Saturday night, but the vendors and food booths would surely benefit.
Dear Anon 5:22 PM:
DeleteThere are several activities on the grounds and off the grounds during the Come and Take It weekend.
Here is a list of some of them:
Art show
Camera club contest
Carnival
Bingo
Live Music
5k Run/Walk
Canoe Race
Downtown Parade
Gonzales: The Beginning Historical Program
Car Show
Washer Pitching
Chicken Flying Contest
T-Bone Cook off
Chili and bean Cook off
2 Memorial services
There is only so much room downtown that we can use, and also, there is a huge lack of volunteers. I welcome you to join us at Come and Take It Committiee meeting or email us your thoughts/suggestions of what you would like to see at ComeAndTakeItCelebration@gmail.com.
Thanks! :)
Daisy Scheske
Oh and I forgot to add the food eating contests!
Delete-DLS