Though certainly fun, attendance was noticeably way down for the 60th annual Olde Bristol Days at the Pemaquid Beach Park site, Aug. 11-12.
Low attendance might be attributable to some sketchy weather reports, predicting intermittent showers and thunderstorms throughout Saturday, when, in fact though a bit overcast, the weather was just fine for the parade and park events.
The number of vendors was also down, as Pemaquid Beach Park was dominated by food vendors, offering a variety of mostly fried foods alongside an assortment of drinks featuring sodas and fruity smoothies, and the Lincoln Academy cheerleaders offered yummy sweets as a fundraiser.
Always up for the day were the Bristol Masons, offering banter and laughs while flipping burgers, offering hot dogs, and serving up coffee to keep everyone going.
An attendance barometer of sorts is the Bristol Parks and Recreation table that was laden with Olde Bristol Day commemorative t-shirts and this year, soft beach towels. By Sunday, the selection was still substantial with almost every size available.
Bristol Parks and Recreation Committee member Judith Lowd confirmed that numbers were indeed down; particularly concerning vendors.
“I have a couple of thoughts (as to why),” she said. “The weather report will keep some people away, particularly those coming from away.” Also, Lowd said she believed beach traffic was turned away this year.
Last year, Lowd said, beachgoers wandered onto the grounds to take part in Olde Bristol Days.
Also this year some crafters cancelled at the last minute, Lowd said. “They paid their money, and there’s no refunds at that late date,” said Lowd. The vendor coordinator, Laurie Chandler told Lowd the cancellations were due to health reasons, however.
Going forward, soliciting vendors will be the focus for next year.
“The number of crafters and vendors has slowed down ever since the change in location. That is unfortunately not going to change,” Lowd said.
A variety of factors contributed to the town’s decision to move the bulk of the event from the fort grounds, Olde Bristol Days’ long time home, to Pemaquid Beach Park, beginning in 2007. The Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races are still held in the shadow of the fort.
Within recent memory, more than 80 vendors jostled for position when the event took place in the shadow of Fort Henry, and it was just steps away for fairgoers between the vendors and sitting on the rocks watching the lobster boat races.
Looking ahead, Lowd said she is determined to grow the event and she plans to redouble her efforts to entice quality vendors, and focus on having more family friendly and kid family events.
She has already contacted a crafters’ organization and her contact is “going to help us. We’re already going to two shows in September,” where Lowd hopes to speak to vendors about Olde Bristol Days.
Previously a voluntary committee shouldered the event, but after numerous years, volunteer fatigue set in and Bristol Parks & Rec took it over.
“It really changed once it was turned over to the Bristol Parks and Recreation Dept. to run,” Lowd said.
Hearing Lowd’s passion, Olde Bristol Days might have suffered due to some changes, but plans are afoot to make it better than ever.
