The heart behind this magazine is to share “your stories, your photos, and your community.” The purpose of that is to build upon the goodness derived from being connected to one another. When you know your neighbors, and they know you, you can’t help but feel a greater sense of belonging than you otherwise would.

Fresh off July’s Harvest Days and June’s Hockinson Fun Days, the sense of community is on the minds of many. Considering that no great event happens magically, we are pleased to highlight the members of our community who work tirelessly to put on Harvest Days and various other events throughout the year.

On a Tuesday evening after hours at City Hall, the committee gathers to work on details for the upcoming shindig. They graciously allow Markus and me to crash their meeting to get the inside story.

Harvest Days has been a major festival in this community for many years. Still, it almost disappeared in 2019 when the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, which had previously organized it, merged with the Greater Vancouver Chamber. The GVC does not do community-based events, which left the festival’s future floundering.

“The committee came into being out of necessity,” explains Kendra Laratta. “We recognized that if we wanted it to continue, someone needed to step up, and we just happened to be the ones who decided we would step up,” she says of herself and her fellow committee members.

“That year, we knew we needed to form a non-profit to organize under. We formed it and got everything rolling 30 days before that year's festival!”

Talk about a tight timeline!

In its previous iteration, Harvest Days was a fundraiser for the BG Chamber. Now, the committee is run by citizens, all of whom happen to own local businesses, who do it solely for the value it brings to the community, regardless of whether it makes any money.

“We wanted to see this happen in our community,” adds Shane Bowman. “It was important to us and we all enjoyed it. We didn't want to see it go away.”

“If we bring the carnival and we don’t make any money, or we break even, or costs us, it’s OK,” continues Shane. “If people want a carnival, that's what we're going to do.”

The committee always strives to add more fun and activities to the Harvest Days lineup. For example, 2024 marks the third year of a fireworks show! New this year was the 4x4 show to join the existing lineup of events.

“We figure it can always be better each year,” says Shane. “If we can think of ways to improve it or make it more exciting, we’re all about it.”

The Festivals Association also spearheads Halloween on Main Street and the Christmas window decorating contest, two festive traditions downtown each holiday season.  

For all they do, the committee quickly points out that it takes a lot of work to get it all done! From insurance and permits to vendor and carnival management and a copious amount of logistics that must all be done right, the committee has its hands full!

So, how can you help?

“We always need more volunteers!” says Kendra, and the rest of the committee members nod vigorously in agreement. “We do this for the community and love to do it. But the truth is, we could use a lot more help!”

Some of the volunteer opportunities to consider for next year are:

As locals who benefit from all their labor, we have a new appreciation for the scope of work it takes to make it all happen. And while they make it look easy, the call for volunteers is one we all might consider!

If you’re interested in volunteering, email battlegroundfestivals@gmail.com.

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The members of the Festivals Association are:

Board members: John Idsinga (John Idsinga Home Sales @ Keller Williams Realty), Shane Bowman (Western States Fire, Deputy Mayor-Battle Ground) and Kendra Laratta (Ink Ability)

Committee members:

Plus, there are many other volunteers who support their activities!