Chamber Chatter

Melissa G. Burgess

Happy New Year! Can you believe its 2007! I think this is going to be an amazing year for Lincoln County! The chamber directors have reviewed the Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Surveys and we will make sure we keep in mind the ideas of the community while planning the 2007 Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Parade. We appreciate your thoughts and ideas. That is the only way we know how the community feels. I have posted below the results of the Survey.

Out of 46 Surveys

* Note: Some residents did not answer all the questions.

1) Did you participate in the 9th Annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival and Holiday Parade in any way? Yes- 33 No- 13

If you answered No-Why? Had to work, had to prepare business (2), a member and representing a company doing business in Lincoln County the distance to participate was prohibitive, busy with kids and traveling.

2) Did you agree with the date change for the 9th Annual Holidays in Ole Lincoln Towne Festival and Holiday Parade- from the Saturday before Thanksgiving (November 18) to December 2nd? Yes- 37 No- 6

If you answered No-Why? Conflicts with other outside events, parade was not as good this year, not as good of a turn out, they liked having it with Pioneer Day, date conflicted with parade in Columbia County which had some impact on number of entrants.

3) When should the 10th Annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival and Holiday Parade be held? Nov. 17th- 4, Nov. 24th- 5, Dec. 1st - 20, Dec. 8th - 8, Dec. 15th- 5

*This doesn't mean it will be on the 1st. The Chamber Directors will vote and make sure there are no other conflicts on the day of the parade.

4) Did you like the Festival time change, 12:00 Noon to 6:00 P.M. (Instead of 12:00-8:00)? Yes- 37 No- 6

If you answered No-Why? Liked it from 12:00-8:00 (3), start later so you can see the store displays and decorations.

5) Do you like the Holiday Parade time, 3:00 P.M.? Yes- 36 No- 7

If you answered No-Why? Suggest starting at 4:00 (2), after dark-wants a night parade, suggest starting at 2:00, people were waiting a long time to start (2).

6) Do you like the Holiday parade route through town? Yes- 29 No- 1

*Suggest going down South Peachtree Street.

7) Would you commit to serving as a volunteer for the 10th Annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival?

8) What projects interest you the most? Santa Float, Merchant Participation, Vendors

9) How much time do you think should go into planning the Holiday in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival? 12 months- 11, 6 months- 12, 3 months- 4

10) What or how would you improve the Holiday Festival? Everything was great, but the time change, More bands. (3), Judging should be done closer to parade time instead of all the trips back & forth to the floats (2) more children's attractions, more advertisement- McCormick, Thomson, Washington. (2), set up seating stands near entertainment, slow down on parade, more floats, less sirens and horns.

11) Do you think this event is beneficial to the community? Yes- 46 No- 0

12) Comments or Suggestions? We had a tradition of having parade the Saturday before Thanksgiving with lots of participation - lets keep it that way!, more non-food vendors, more Children's attractions, more advertising, move back to November, consider a night parade, release plans involving groups earlier, get more vendors involved, have another shopping day for merchants with extended hours, more kids activities (3), motorcycles revved their engines to loud (scared kids and elderly),

If you have any suggests or thoughts, please feel free to email me at melissa9735@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear them!

Thanks again for your responses!! We appreciate your feedback!