08/04/14 The long days that the Moose Lodge volunteers spend operating the trams during the annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival means a significant source of income for the organization. The four-day festival is held over the Labor Day weekend in Plymouth.
Moose Lodge volunteers take four-hour shifts working on the trams-covered flatbeds with seating and handicap accessibility- that carry festival-goers to and from the official parking at Plymouth High School to the festival located in Centennial Park. There are two routes with one being in the middle of the festival along Randolph St. and the other from Baker Street to Klinger St. to the front of Jefferson Elementary School. Trams do not run on Sunday mornings due to the parade lineup.
The Blueberry Festival Committee designates the parking at the PHS paved parking lots and grassy areas as official parking. Volunteers from different clubs at the school are then given free tram passes to hand out for those paying to park.
According to Tom Williams, Moose Lodge administrator, some 60-70 volunteers are needed to man the trams and that number could increase. He said, “The time for the trams running is going from 9:00 P.M. until 10:30 P.M.”
According to Williams, the tractors used to pull the trams are provided by Gilsinger’s John Deere Dealership and the fuel is provided by the Marshall County Co-op, Inc.
The profit from the parking is then divided among the PHS clubs participating (50 percent), the Blueberry Festival (30 percent) and the Moose Lodge (20 percent). Last year, parking brought in $40,364.
The PHS clubs work varying shifts and the proceeds are primarily divided up according to the number of shifts worked. In 2013, the following PHS received a percentage of the parking proceeds: Speech and Debate Team; Broadcasting; Theater Department; Band; Choir; Orchestra,\; Spanish Club; ASS (foreign exchange students); and the Portuguese Club. Speech Team students from Lincoln Junior High also helped and received a percentage. According to Blueberry Festival office figures, over the past 21 years, official parking during the festival has brought in $525,000.
Although there has not been any decision by the Blueberry Festival to move to a new location after this year’s event, Williams feels the Moose Lodge would still want to be provide volunteers and participation. Williams said, “It is a large fundraiser. I suspect the Moose would still want to be involved.”
Carol Anders Correspondent
