26 Years Ago, One of the first things Mitch Williams did when he became Town of Remsen Supervisor was to convene a new local committee, the Town of Remsen Cultural Committee.
    While campaigning for office, Mitch realized that there was interest in promoting new activities in the town, and he asked a number of residents to help think them up.
    With an official resolution, and a $20 contribution (that most members thought came out of his own pocket) the Committee Mitch Williams convened started thinking…
    One of the first things it thought about was a focus for group efforts. The slogan, “Community Pride Through Arts and Education” became central to planning.
    Over the years the projects the group has thought up have included snow sculpture contests, parade floats, school-centered children’s activities, distribution of Welsh and American flags and flower baskets throughout the village of Remsen, and the Annual Community Holiday Stroll, to name a few.
    But, the most acclaimed project by far is the Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts (Barn FOTA), celebrating its 25th year in 2004.
    To members of the organizing committee, the first Barn FOTA was a logical extension of many activities that regularly took place in Remsen in the fall. The Remsen Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. sponsored a harvest dance. The Remsen United Methodist Church held a harvest dinner each year. Remsen Central School’s FFA Fair traditionally took place in September. 

    The Fortnightly Club’s annual Gymanfa Ganu, and activities that might be hosted by the Remsen-Steuben Historical Society complimented the Cultural Committee’s interest in promoting an arts & crafts festival.
In the initial planning stages, what seemed possible was an event that would showcase Remsen’s rural Welsh culture, with additional activities to attract broader audience participation.
    To help finance the envisioned public event, the committee wrote a grant application requesting $1,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts. When the grant was approved, planning began in earnest. A date that did not conflict with other regional events was selected. Heidi Beagle and Juanita Finn agreed to chair the event, and a public relations campaign within the community took the two of them to every organization to find ways other groups might like to become involved. While some organizations were skeptical, they all agreed to take the risk and participate in the event scheduled for September 27 & 28, 1980.
    That first year, the committee pulled out all the stops to include activities that might attract public notice and encourage people to come to Remsen. The advertising poster included the lineup of an Arts & Crafts Fair, Craft Demonstrations, Historical Crafts Exhibit, Local History Exhibit, FFA Fair, Farmers Market, Flea Market, Auction, Bazaar, Rummage Sale, Book Fair, Country Cooking, Concessions, Entertainment, and a Square & Round Dance.
    With local organizations fast at planning, it was time to get as much publicity beyond Remsen as possible. Mail campaigns to every town & village board in Oneida County, elected officials and other cultural institutions went out with an official “invitation proclamation”, personally signed by Town of Remsen Supervisor, Mitch Williams and Gil Ackley, then mayor of the village. 
    Press releases were followed up by personal contacts that brought media exposure. Banners were hand painted and permission was obtained from the New York State Department of Transportation to hang them temporarily from Route 12 overpasses. (This was never repeated, as it didn’t take long before the banners were ripped off!)
    Even with such a flurry of activity, a lot of local folks didn’t really think very many people would come to Remsen. But, the day before the festival, when the Utica Observer-Dispatch printed a front page color photo of a banner that hung on Horn’s barn, people began to take it seriously.

September 27, 1980 dawned full of snowflakes with exhibitors honking their horns at the Firehouse check-in as early as 5:30 a.m. As the snow accumulated, some committee members were rumored to have tucked themselves fast under the covers rather than face their neighbors and the public.
    Despite the weather, most people kept a good humor. A few fires were lit in empty trash barrels so people had a place to warm their hands. Exhibitors who are used to weather nightmares boosted committee spirits. By late morning the sun came out and so did the crowd. It was estimated that about 5,000 people attended the first Barn FOTA.
    The Committee broke even financially, which was just fine. The real success came in the nice comments exhibitors and the public took time to make to committee members about what a nice community Remsen was. Before the weekend was over, we were assessing problems and thinking up new ideas for the next Barn FOTA.

still continue to extol the friendliness they feel here in contrast to many other events. 

    Other things that have remained constant over the years are central to the Barn FOTA philosophy, to the extent that one exists. Aside from welcoming people to the country who might be quick to dismiss it, and showing them a good time, making Barn FOTAA an affordable event where families can have a good time is important. Inexpensive purchases that kids can enjoy making are always included.

    The weather is always unpredictable at best, and when it is predictable, there have been years when we’d rather not know about it. Besides the snow, the year of Hurricane Hugo is frequently remembered. Mostly we think about exhibitors standing ankle deep in puddles, politely requesting a little more hay to help sop up the water. People seem to forget that overall, there have been more glorious fall festival days than not. 

    Over the years, the committee has learned to abandon its collective weather nightmare. 1992 did it for most of us, with two days of non-stop rain and cold temperatures. Fortunately, what we lost in parking revenue to help defray traffic control and parking costs and shuttle bus transportation, we made up by selling Remsen Dragon rain ponchos. 
    Given the choice, we’d opt for two nice days, so everyone didn’t come on the best weather day. It is interesting to note that the weather does not seem to impact sales, except perhaps food, as people are anxious to shop without necessarily having a good time enjoying themselves.

    Providing emergency medical coverage that meets or exceeds crowd guidelines helps prepare us to meet public needs. Over the years medical personnel on the scene have responded to bee stings, strokes, heart attacks, diabetic comas, a baby about to be born, sunstroke, falling accidents, and other problems that might be experienced any time there are so many people in one place. Our hope is that emergency responses will be as quick and effective as they need to be with a little public attention as possible.

    Traffic patterns and supervision are also primary concerns. Over the years, the committee has worked closely and well with the NYS Department of Transportation, New York State Troopers, Oneida County Sheriffs, Remsen Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., and other fire departments, Prospect Volunteer Ambulance and other ambulance services, the Remsen Town Board, Remsen Village Board, Town of Trenton Board, and area businesses and individuals.

     Traffic plans have varied over the years, and met with different levels of acceptance, effectiveness and convenience. Most people follow parking signs and obeying traffic control officers. One driver trying to go the wrong way, parking so as to obstruct traffic, or in a marked no-parking zone, or trying to cross against an official barrier can create a problem.

     Over the years, people have elected to park under the railroad crossing arms and had their cars dented when the gates came down. Drivers have denied knowing turns were prohibited as their vehicles still had safety cones they plowed through attached when being ticketed. In the absence of common sense from some drivers, all of the listed agencies work very hard to provide smooth driving and parking.

    Overnight security is provided by off-duty Sheriff’s Deputies hired by the Barn FOTA Committee. It would be nice to think they weren’t needed, but we acknowledge their efforts as a wise precaution over the years.

    Over the years, the Barn Festival and its activities have regrettably sometimes caused problems for people, especially local residents. When people who have been inconvenienced or experienced problems bring their complaints to the committee, we do our best to remedy the situation. The problems we don’t know about are the worst ones, because they can cause hurt feelings. In short, if we know about a problem, we’ll do our best to fix it so it doesn’t happen again. When problems happen, it’s usually something we have not anticipated in advance. For example, until it was brought to committee attention, the fact that some village residents were having trouble getting in and out when the street was closed, escaped committee members. Hopefully the reserved parking and permit system put in place has diminished the problem.

    In fact, over the years, the regulations governing Barn FOTA have all grown out of experience. Compared to today’s version, the first exhibitor applications were pretty much a “Y’all Come and Have a Good Time!” invitation. When a truck took down part of a display apparatus overhanging the street, we added a rule that said a display apparatus couldn’t overhang the street. When holes were jack-hammered in the street to put up a tent, we added a rule to prevent that from happening again. Basically, every rule we have grew out of necessity. 
    One thing is certain. Barn FOTA could not exist without the support and cooperation of everyone in the Town of Remsen. Year after year, many residents volunteer their time helping out during the event. As the event has become more financially stable, the committee tries to include compensation for especially significant contributions individuals and organizations make. Local people have been hired for some security details, exhibitor parking lot attendants, portable bathroom details, and as porter and sales help for exhibitors who request it. Compensation for electric use, driveway parking and water is given to village residents who provide these conveniences for exhibitors.
    Contracts for land use, parking and traffic supervision, trash pick-up, busses and drivers and medical coverage benefit local individuals, school groups and organizations. Being in a position to compensate as many people as possible, while keeping registration and parking fees as low as possible is tricky. But, keeping fees low is also part of the Barn FOTA philosophy. That way, new exhibitors, especially local people, can be part of the festival. Offering a local space discount also helps. People who live in the 13438 Zip Code area get a 30% space discount. Other special financial arrangements are sometimes made with school groups and non-profit food vendors, and other exhibitors in exchange for services to Barn FOTA.

  The Barn FOTA phone rings almost every day of the year. Hundreds more people than can be accommodated want to exhibit at Barn FOTA, but there is only room to accept about 225 artists and craftspeople, 50-55 food and farmers market exhibitors, and about 15-20 others, mostly non-profit organizations. Keeping track of applicants, registration forms, photographs, fees, special requests, etc. is a big job.

    For committee members, perhaps the most significant advance we have made in the help department over the years has been computerizing records. Not enough can be said about the efforts of Remsen Central School high school computer students and their teacher, Mr. Michael Nassar. Over the years, in collaboration with a Barn FOTA committee representative, they have developed a record keeping and retrieval system that has never failed. 

    For the committee, it saves hundreds of hours of members’ time. For the students, there is real-world work to learn and do at every level of instruction. Over the years, the work students do has become more sophisticated, and Barn FOTA has gone from contributing money for new purchases in the computer lab on an “as available” basis, to channeling jury application fees into a special account to be used to help keep equipment and software up to date. In turn, student skills and equipment supported from Barn FOTA funds are made available to all school personnel and individuals and other organizations in the community as time and scheduling permits.
    Beyond having upgraded equipment and software that might not otherwise be available, and incorporating real work into to curriculum, it is very rewarding to know how hard Remsen students are willing to work. As students, and citizens of the community, they take Barn FOTA very seriously. 

    If Barn FOTA did not impact positively on Remsen, there would be no reason to host it. Each year, exhibitor surveys provide us with significant information about the event. At least every two years, a public survey is conducted to gather additional information. In the early 

    A lot of tongue-in-cheek suggestions are made about how to improve the festival, like “make it bigger”, “have better weather”, etc. The festival could theoretically be extended geographically, but the committee feels strongly that it would not be possible to do so and still be able to respond to emergencies, exhibitor and public needs, etc. In recent years, the addition of radio communications between committee members and law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel, and traffic and parking staff has been a vital logistical advance. We’ve come a long way since Helga Evans carried messages back and forth on her bicycle!
    The Barn FOTA Committee files an Annual Report with the Town of Remsen Town Board each year. While the festival committee meets on average once a month, Barn FOTA work gets done on almost a daily basis. Some of that work relates to fundraising. Because the fees are relatively low, but because we always aspire to maximize profits that can be put into school and community projects, the committee relies heavily on fundraising to help underwrite expenses. 
    One of the most successful fundraisers has been the community cookbook, The LoveSpoon Collection, which, after being out of print for many years, has been reissued to help celebrate Barn FOTA’s 25th Anniversary in 2004. Silver on black dragon mugs are also a festive addition to Barn FOTA souvenirs this year.
    For people who are interested in the bottom line as a measurement of success, Treasurer Hazel Black has compiled some statistics covering the past 25 years. Since 1980 the Barn Festival has supported arts, cultural and education activities as well as other community improvement projects. 
    The first check was written on September 15, 1980, one of fifteen checks written to pay for event expenses that year. That first year, the committee donated $25.00 to the Prospect Ambulance and paid $4.00 to reimburse Main Street residents for 2 day’s electricity. In 2003, Prospect Ambulance received $1,850.00, and residents are now reimbursed $25 per day per outlet for electric use. Last year it took 227 checks to cover expenses. 
    At the 2001 Barn FOTA, $2,026.50 in exhibitor donations was collected and contributed in their name to the Red Cross following 9/11. 
    Organizations, businesses and individuals providing goods and services have also benefited. Barn FOTA has spent about $73,000.00 with Remsen, Barneveld, Holland Patent, and some Boonville businesses. Local individuals have received almost $52,000.00 in payments for services. Floyd and Remsen Fire Companies have received $50,500.00 and $70,700.00 respectively. Village residents have been reimbursed for parking and electricity in the amount of $38,083.00, and an almost equal amount, $38,591.00 has compensated landowners for parking lot use.
    Prospect Ambulance has received a total of $15,805.00 over the years. Remsen EMTs have received over $4,000.00. Contributions for new sidewalks, flowers, flags, lamps, gravel and books for the library have added over $25,000.00 to village of Remsen improvements. 

    Contributions, program expenses and fees paid to Remsen Central School, not including computer lab donations or FFA, and bus driver compensation totals $15,670.00. To date, the computer lab has received about $35,700.00 with which students have made wise equipment and software purchases valued at far more. The FFA has been compensated $9,200.00 for services rendered.
    Other beneficiaries include the Remsen-Steuben Historical Society that has received $12, 828.00, and the Remsen Development Corporation, with donations in the amount of $10,575.00. Miscellaneous donations to other projects and non-profit organizations total $13,567.00. 
    Since 1980, $113,470.00 has been spent enriching the community through music performances and events from film festivals, the holiday stroll and fireworks, to Barn FOTA entertainers. Over $46,000.00 has been paid out in awards and prizes, mostly at Barn FOTA. These prizes include an annual $100.00 “Youth Entrepreneur” award that benefits a youth exhibitor, youth organization or school group.
    From Hazel’s records, a total of $623,954.00 has essentially been “reinvested” in the community, but people might be surprised at the level of event profit each year. While it is a modest amount for such a large effort, keeping fees low to help maximize exhibitors’ ability do well is equally important.
    As the festival has evolved over the years, committee members who have been there since the beginning can measure the time spent by their children who have been born since 1980, some of whom now have children of their own. Such staying power implies a lot of commitment. If we didn’t feel that the community, the county, the region and the state, as well as a host of individuals benefited, we wouldn’t bother. We hope, as readers review this article they will also think the Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts is worth it.

Somewhere along the line, the “Remsen Dragon” was born, as sort of a “Welsh-American” version of the dragon with outstretched paw on the Welsh flag. The symbol has been used in many print and 3-D versions to help identify Remsen and promote Remsen Barn FOTA.