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Page 26

Pure ‘Joy’

Chairman enjoys community benefits of festival

Fall Festival Chairman Eric Joy has Plymouth so special and this festival event is the same,
been involved with the event for decades what it is.” he said, every year.
and been at the helm of the event for sev- He said it is difficult to imagine a “Use the free
eral years. community where nearly 1,000 volun- parking at Praise Eric Joy
His favorite part of the event, howev- teers join together as happens at the Fall Baptist Church and the free shuttle. We
er, is the aftermath. Festival annually. only ever have one constant concern at
“Between the Rotary clubs and the “It's just a real community effort,” he this event and that is parking. That is so
Kiwanis, the Civitans and Bingo, with said. easy to avoid and this is the most under-
just those groups, there is probably close Joy said he walks the festival from utilized benefit we offer.
to $100,000 that is coming right back into end to end each year about 12 or 15 times “Just use the shuttle. It's free and it is
the community in scholarships for high during the weekend, just to watch the so convenient. It drops people off right in
school kids, the Little League, football interaction and the crowds enjoy the the center of the festival and runs about
groups, wrestling teams, cheerleading, event. every 20 minutes,” Joy said.
just from this festival,” he said. “I stop at every booth and often see so He added that his entire family sup-
“The money goes in a circle; into the many familiar faces, volunteers that ports his work with the festival, including
clubs during the festival and then right come back year after year, even when his wife, Dawn, and four children. ages,
back out to helping so many activities their children are no longer involved 17, 15, 13, and 11.
and charities in the community,” he with the groups,” he said. “They like to brag to their friends that
added. “I think that is what makes His expert advice on enjoying the their Dad runs the festival,” he said.