What is it that qualifies something to BE...a 'tradition'?
Well...most of the traditions that you or I might think of when we hear the word all share some particular qualities.
For example, any viable tradition should be 'timeless'.
No matter how many years it has been handed down from one to another...all of the elements that comprise a particular tradition should be adaptable so that it will remain relevant to every generation that receives it.
Certainly, a healthy tradition will bring people together in some way, uniting them in a purpose that retains its value through endless circumstance.
Above all, a truly enduring tradition has at its core...some joy.
If it is to last a tradition must be something that people WANT to hold on to, remember...and pass on to others.
So, how do you make something INTO a tradition?
There are an endless array of answers to that question. But frankly, if you'd like to pick up some basic ideas on how a tradition can be created, a trip to Corning would be time well spent.
Because...as was evident to everyone fortunate enough to obtain a ticket to Corning's second annual Sausage-fest held last Saturday...the folks in Corning have a definite HABIT of creating traditions.
Ryan Lowenberger was the driving force behind the first Sausage-fest held last year. He was also the 'lynch-pin' for this year's event. Ryan notes that there were some valuable lessons learned at the first Sausage-fest, that resulted in some positive changes.
For example...
"I remembered to put the cheese out this year!" Ryan says with a chuckle. "I forgot last year! I sure won't do that again!"
Along with that 'crucial' change, Ryan says that other improvements were made as well.
"We decided to have one 'ticket sale day' rather than just having people phone me looking for tickets. That made things a lot easier. We sold all 160 tickets and my phone wasn't ringing day after day. We also decided to ask different people for help with some of the preparations for this year. That way nobody was left feeling like they were 'stuck'. And, we aren't as likely to have people becoming 'burnt-out'."
However, Ryan notes that most of the preparations that went into this year's Sausage-fest involved building on last year's success.
"We had a good variety of sausage again this year...12 this time. There were still prizes for the top three sausage recipes along with a 'People's Choice' award." (Note: First Prize went to Stephanie Balogh. Second Prize went to Allen Katona. Third Prize went to Nolan Balon. And, the People's Choice Award went to Colin Aikens.)
"We had Robin Roy-Hampton directing the Community Players in another musical again too. It's a 'Pirate Tale' instead of a Western. But the play 'fits' just as well this year as it did last year. The show is awesome! They've done a great job decorating the hall to go with the whole 'Pirate theme' too. Did you notice the live goldfish on the tables? I asked Robin what we should do for center-pieces and she suggested the goldfish! That's the kind of amazing things that happen when you have people like this helping you out!"
Ryan also points out that there is tremendous enthusiasm for this event in the community, largely because the profits go to support a cause that is relevant to all.
"We've got a tremendous group of volunteers again. These are the people that really make this event happen. We had Darlene Romanow from Montmartre making our perogies for us this year. That lady made 92 dozen perogies in one week!! We have other people helping us out with fantastic desserts. There's a great group of people running the bar...Calvin Wood was the one organizing that for us this year. Gord McKay and Tyler Lowenberger helped with cooking. A big thank you to this year's judges Kelly Romanow, Richard Perras and Billie Szilagyi. My wife Kate and my kids put up with me and they've been there helping all the way. And, just like last year, the whole community has come together to support this. It's important to Corning to keep this hall going. And this year, we've managed to raise around $5,000 for our Community Hall."
Is Corning's Sausage-fest on its way to becoming a tradition?
Let's see...
We have an event that seems to be both adaptable and enduring. People in the Corning community are certainly united in this effort. And, the purpose that gave rise to this event (the desire to keep the Community Hall open) is one that will very likely remain important to people in that community for years to come.
It does seem as though the factors that have made Sausage-fest a success thus far...are ALSO the elements that will ensure that it becomes a long-lasting tradition.
But...what about the 'joy'?
To find that...one need only listen to the comments from some of those attending the event.
For example, Hamilton (Hammy) Tait and his wife Margot came from Langbank to enjoy Sausage-fest. They were in Corning for the first Sausage-fest as well. And the couple make it clear that they fully intend to return again. As Margot says, "We were here last year, and we loved both the supper and the show. As hard as we've tried, we've never been able to get tickets to the Dinner Theater that Corning has every fall. So, we're hoping to make Sausage-fest our annual 'thing'! Mind you...I can see it being harder and harder to get tickets to this as time goes on. But, we're keeping it on our calendar anyway. The folks here just do such a great job putting on things like this!"
Chris Florek from Glenavon wasn't able to attend last year. But, he is determined that this year's event will be the first of many for him.
"I had this on my 'To-do list' all year! And, I didn't care how much snow I had to go through to get here!! I'm here for the sausage. I've been to the Dinner Theaters in Corning before. I enjoy the plays. But, how many sausage festivals have you heard of? This is the only one I know about...at least in this area. So, I made sure I got here this year...and I'll be back again...you can count on that!"
However, 'proof positive' of the lasting impact that this event will have...came from a group of young people that call Corning 'home'.
"This is crazy!î says Evan Richter. ìThere are...what...20 people living in town? And look at what those few people managed to do! They've put on a good supper...and a good show."
"I'm planning to be up there on-stage some day,î says Rhett McCarthy. ìThe idea definitely appeals to me. And, I want to help keep the hall and this community going."
"You won't see me on stage,î says Jordan McKay. ìBut I'll help out. I wouldn't mind learning how to make sausage either. This event is something to be proud of. I want to be a part of it."
"What the volunteers have managed to pull off here is actually amazing," notes Harley Kapell. "The only reason that some people knew Corning existed was because of the Dinner Theaters...and now this!"
There was silence for a moment...then THIS comment came from Tanaya McKay.
This is absolutely a tradition that we are going to want to continue. And in twenty years, I am going to be happy to tell people that I was there for the first one!"
Yes...it does indeed seem that the folks in Corning have successfully created a new tradition.
See you there next year!
