Seeley Lake Community Foundation Executive Director Claire Muller writes down a list of potential projects Seeley Lake residents could create within the next few months. Attendees voted to synchronize several events together into Winterfest. Muller then would apply for a $2,000 grant to help fund the event.
Attendees of the third ReImagining Rural session break out into smaller groups to discuss ways to collectivize and develop a community project in Seeley Lake.
SEELEY LAKE - Residents voted to collectively work towards planning and developing Winterfest following a presentation from Red Ants Pants Founder and White Sulphur Springs resident Sarah Calhoun at the third and final session of Reimagining Rural Tuesday, Oct. 13.
At the last Reimagining Rural meeting, it was announced that communities could apply for grants of up to $2,000 for local projects through an online grant application. Communities could only apply for the grant if they participated in all three of the Reimagining Rural workshops.
Following an initial presentation, attendees shared their ideas on what projects they would like to see the grant money go towards. One stipulation of the grant was that the project had to be done within the next six months. After voting on the various suggestions, attendees decided to consolidate several ideas under Winterfest with the idea of taking small steps and actions to make their community a better place.
Although still in its initial planning stage, events during Winterfest could potentially include providing various businesses with lights, giving welcome baskets to newcomers, organizing an art trail or quilt show, encouraging individuals and organizations to build snowmen in front of their property and hosting an outdoor dance party with a bonfire.
Seeley Lake Community Foundation Executive Director Claire Muller said she would apply for the maximum funding possible with $1,500 going towards lights and $500 going towards Winterfest support. The $500 could potentially be used for newcomer welcome baskets, fliers and advertising, an outdoor snow pants dance tied in with a tree bonfire, a full moon snowshoe walk and bonfire, and possibly an indoor event for newcomers to socialize depending on COVID-19 conditions.
Grants will be announced Nov. 13. The project will officially begin once funding is received. It is expected to end in February 2021.
Muller said she wanted to make it clear that event preparation and planning is meant to be inclusive to the entire community and is open to collaboration from any local organization or individual.
"Collaboration is key and ideal," Muller said.
She does not consider herself to be the main coordinator of Winterfest and that the funding will be used to 'enhance' and 'support' Winterfest activities. At this time however, she encourages that those who are interested in getting involved email her at cmuller@slcfmt.org.
Before Winterfest discussions took place, Calhoun shared anecdotes about how she went about developing Red Ants Pants and planning her annual Red Ants Pants Music Festival in White Sulphur Springs. She shared six methods communities can take to improve themselves. These include showing off authenticity; having newcomers pitch in and helping civic organizations; asking people for help and offering them an opportunity to be part of something worthwhile; being true to the community and locals in tourism efforts; building community pride in any way possible; and building dance halls as one way of centralizing the community and its culture.
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