Volunteers like Ross Kelly and Dale Pepin make all the difference for organizations such as Northern Lights Festival Boréal.
Kelly has been volunteering with the music festival for 15 years. He was co-ordinator of the festival's beer tent on the weekend and is a member of the board of directors.
“I started off in the hospitality service for artists at the university, where they are housed for a few years," said Kelly. "Then I switched over to the beer tent. I have been here ever since.”
Paul Loewenberg, chair of the festival's board, appreciates that Kelly has been able to help out for so many years.
“Ross is dependable," said Loewenberg. "He does what has to be done when it needs to be looked after. He is an outstanding example of what a festival volunteer ideally should be. I cannot say enough good things about him.”
How was business at the beer tent over the weekend?
“It was steady,” said Kelly. His staff of volunteers are trained in the Smart Serve program which alerts them to customers who may be approaching their limit of alcohol consumption.
Another valuable volunteer is Dale Pepin, said Loewenberg.
Pepin, a retired teacher, received the Jackie Washington Award. The award is given to an artist, group or individual who makes an outstanding contribution and who embodies the spirit of the festival in artistic and other endeavors.
Pepin has the tough job of co-ordinating the accreditation tent during the weekend. He is well known throughout the city for his children's character, Story Socks.
Many 20-year-olds at the festival on the weekend recognized Pepin while he was receiving the award because of their childhood encounters with Story Socks.
Anyone who wants to volunteer for next year's Northern Lights Festival Boréal or for events throughout the year can phone 674-5512, or visit www.nlfbsudbury.com. The festival office is located at 19 Grey Street, across from the Sudbury Arena parking lot.
