Bradford steps down as Festival of the Bells president
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Longtime Festival of the Bells committee member and festival committee president Michael Bradford resigned from the committee Tuesday night.
Bradford told The Highland County Press that he resigned, both as president and as a committee member, during the committee’s regular meeting on Aug. 16.
“They were very surprised,” Bradford said. “Actually, only two people voted to accept it. The others wouldn’t even vote. With two ayes and no nays, it was passed, but I think people were surprised.”
Committee vice president Mary Fent also resigned during Tuesday night’s meeting, according to Bradford, along with secretary Debbie Wallingford, information booth/setup chair Charlie Wallingford and setup, security and transportation chair Norman Fent.
Bradford said that after over 16 years as a member of the committee, he decided it was time to step down, wishing to spend more time with family members as well as feeling that the committee was “changing direction.”
“Along with wanting to spend more time with my family and my grandchildren and my job, I just felt there was a disconnect,” Bradford said. “Some of the members changed direction, and I felt like it was time for me to step aside. I just felt it was the best time for me to go.
“I support them all and care for all of them. They’re a great team, and I wish them well.”
Bradford said that he initially joined the committee after being approached by Paulette and Dick Donley in the early 2000s.
“They thought that I was well-known in the community and liked what I’d been associated with in the past, and they invited me to join,” Bradford said.
Bradford has only positive things to say about the changes to the annual festival over his nearly two decades of involvement.
“The Festival of the Bells has changed dramatically,” he said. “What was originally a small town festival with rides and games and talent and things like that has blossomed into pretty much an annual summer showcase. There are all kinds of things to do, eat and see, with national entertainment, and it’s all free.”
Bradford said that he has offered to help the Festival of the Bells committee by answering any questions they have. He thanked the committee, the city of Hillsboro and the thousands of annual festival visitors and supporters for their role in the festival’s success over the years.
“It’s always a team effort, but I really think that over the years that I’ve been involved, we’ve really focused on doing things to involve the community,” Bradford said.
“Every year, we have new ideas for events and games and showcases, just things where we can have more and more for the community to do. It’s really become something that people look forward to every year and that entertainers remember and talk about wanting to be here. That’s a big deal, when you have [country singer] Neal McCoy talking about wanting to come back to Hillsboro to play.
“I really want to thank all the committee members. Everybody does this on a volunteer basis. They give up family time and holiday time year-round to make this happen. It’s really a great thing, and I hope it continues.”
Bradford told The Highland County Press that he resigned, both as president and as a committee member, during the committee’s regular meeting on Aug. 16.
“They were very surprised,” Bradford said. “Actually, only two people voted to accept it. The others wouldn’t even vote. With two ayes and no nays, it was passed, but I think people were surprised.”
Committee vice president Mary Fent also resigned during Tuesday night’s meeting, according to Bradford, along with secretary Debbie Wallingford, information booth/setup chair Charlie Wallingford and setup, security and transportation chair Norman Fent.
Bradford said that after over 16 years as a member of the committee, he decided it was time to step down, wishing to spend more time with family members as well as feeling that the committee was “changing direction.”
“Along with wanting to spend more time with my family and my grandchildren and my job, I just felt there was a disconnect,” Bradford said. “Some of the members changed direction, and I felt like it was time for me to step aside. I just felt it was the best time for me to go.
“I support them all and care for all of them. They’re a great team, and I wish them well.”
Bradford said that he initially joined the committee after being approached by Paulette and Dick Donley in the early 2000s.
“They thought that I was well-known in the community and liked what I’d been associated with in the past, and they invited me to join,” Bradford said.
Bradford has only positive things to say about the changes to the annual festival over his nearly two decades of involvement.
“The Festival of the Bells has changed dramatically,” he said. “What was originally a small town festival with rides and games and talent and things like that has blossomed into pretty much an annual summer showcase. There are all kinds of things to do, eat and see, with national entertainment, and it’s all free.”
Bradford said that he has offered to help the Festival of the Bells committee by answering any questions they have. He thanked the committee, the city of Hillsboro and the thousands of annual festival visitors and supporters for their role in the festival’s success over the years.
“It’s always a team effort, but I really think that over the years that I’ve been involved, we’ve really focused on doing things to involve the community,” Bradford said.
“Every year, we have new ideas for events and games and showcases, just things where we can have more and more for the community to do. It’s really become something that people look forward to every year and that entertainers remember and talk about wanting to be here. That’s a big deal, when you have [country singer] Neal McCoy talking about wanting to come back to Hillsboro to play.
“I really want to thank all the committee members. Everybody does this on a volunteer basis. They give up family time and holiday time year-round to make this happen. It’s really a great thing, and I hope it continues.”