If volunteers do not come forward soon, Summerland might not have a fall fair in 2013.
The fair has been a Summerland tradition for 103 years, but organizing it takes a lot of work.
Ideally, the board would consist of 12 members, although it is possible to take care of the organization with nine members.
At present, there are just five board members.
The fair is a popular event in Summerland. It draws good crowds and it brings in many exhibitors.
Getting volunteers to help set up and take down the fair has not been too difficult.
The problem has come with getting people to commit to a two-year board term. Without a board, there is no way to run a fair.
If the fair shuts down for one year, it is doubtful it could ever start up again. It is far easier to continue the fair than to bring it back once it has stopped.
The shortage of volunteers is nothing new. In the past decade, the organizers of the fair have put out several calls for volunteer directors. Those calls were answered and the fair was able to keep going just a little longer.
This time, we wonder if we have heard the final call for help from the fair.
While many organizations have trouble getting committed volunteers for the planning process, it is puzzling that in a community of this size the necessary help could not be found.
In three weeks, the board will meet once more. At that meeting, the members must decide how to proceed.
If additional directors still have not come forward, then maybe it is time to regretfully acknowledge the end of a long-standing Summerland tradition.
Keeping a community event on life support is not a good solution.