Editor:
On behalf of Tri-County Council-Lily’s House I want to extend a huge “Thank You” to Downtown Rhinelander Inc, Maggie Steffen, Mark Gutteter, Sally Latimer, Ray Burgan and the whole PotatoFest Committee for the fantastic opportunity to partner on the first ever PotatoFest in Rhinelander.

We couldn’t have asked for a more supportive collaboration, or one that so whole-heartedly believed that “it” could be done. This was an impossible dream seven short months ago and many doubted that it could be pulled together, let alone be successful. But the commitment to create a signature event for the entire Rhinelander community was so strong that it became contagious.

People from many different corners of the community stepped up to assist in any way they could, contributing to making this a reality, to proving that this community can stand tall with a sustainable event that is exciting, fun and successful! Yes, it was a lot of hard and tireless work, it had its bumps along the way but we never lost sight of the vision we had created and the end goal we knew we would accomplish. Tremendous thanks goes out to all of our sponsors who had faith in us and took the risk to support an inaugural event such as this.

Thank you to all of the many volunteers without whom this would not have happened. Thank you to Rhinelander and everyone who came to PotatoFest-thank you to all who participated in the games we dreamed up to entertain you and for being good sports-we hope you had a great time and hope you’ll be back next year.

As chairperson of the Activities and Events, I want to extend special thank you’s to the following volunteers for their contributions: A.J. Hanneman, Ruth Schiek, Steve & Kris Schiek, Betty Hargraves, Lisa Krueger, Colton Krueger, Maureen O’Melia, Matthew O’Melia, Nancy Carrillo, Joan Nelson, Joanne Jannsen, Emily Ditzler, Louise Perrault, Carrie Hacker, David Dall, Lora Lee Jensen, Mark Mangerson, Liz & Dave Nameth, Katelyn Hanke, Eric Dailey, Lynn Feldman, Julie Bronson, Craig Mandli, Ed Hughes, George Groat, Linda Arndt and all of the potato salad servers; To the individuals and businesses that contributed materials and prizes: Jesse Mangerson and his 8′ Hodag, Phat Prints, Dexter Musson-Musson Brothers, Walmart, Mel’s Trading Post, Kurt Hildebrand-Carpetiers, KC Menagerie, Zadnick’s, Dairy Queen, Briq’s, Trig’s, Wilderness Cruise, Fantastic Sam’s, Papa Murphy’s, George Rouman-Rouman Cineman, Rhinelander Cafe & Pub, Chester Biabasz, Eagle River Children’s Museum, Ala Mode, Kids Korner, Hodag Lanes, Family Video, Coffee Beans, Friendship House, and Hardee’s; And of course the tireless staff of Tri-County Council-Lily’s House, we truly couldn’t have done it without you: Kristen Hanneman, Melissa Dailey, Elizabeth Lowenberg, Braden Bayne-Allison, Jamie Walrath, Betty McKenzie, Jean Mc Naughton, Amber Randall, Holly Shepherd, Becky Miller, Lori Groat, Laurie Jo Bruckner, Stephanie Ernst, and our little friend, Tater the Comfort Dog.

Looking forward to PotatoFest 2014,

Shellie Holmes, Executive Director, Tri-County Council-Lily’s House