Managing Editor

May 8, 2000 10 PM

The added features of an original Jean Lake exhibit and an exhibit by late local woodcarver Pugh Windham helped make this year’s Jean Lake Festival a huge success.

Featuring a crowd turnout on Saturday that topped total turnout in two days in previous years, the Jean Lake Festival has organizers pleased with what was accomplished.

"It was a phenomenal success," said Jean Lake Committee Chairman Rick Reynolds. "The only problem we noticed was a finding places for people to park, and that’s a good problem to have."

Reynolds said local support for the event was stellar and resulted in, "one of the largest crowds on Saturday we have ever seen."

Reynolds believes the additions of the Jean Lake exhibit and the Pugh Windham exhibit went a long way in bringing people out for the festival.

"Their work went a long way to bring in people," Reynolds said. "This is the first time the festival has featured their work and people were anxious to see it. Attendance was better than ever."

Another contributing factor in keeping people at the show was music provided by the Jazz Fest, which provided an additional draw.

"That is something that turned out great that we hope can be expanded next year," Reynolds said.

Artists who provided exhibits also reported success.

"The artists were pleased with the crowd and with the sales this year," he said. "They indicated they want to come back next year."

Looking ahead, Reynolds said he hopes to see parking improved next year, which will enhance the festival.

"We had such a great crowd that parking became a problem," Reynolds said. "There was no shortage of space, but it included parking up and down the highway. We will want to improve parking next year and I hope to see us extend the event into the evening."

Reynolds thanked the volunteers on the Jean Lake Festival Committee for their work and said the volunteers and staff at the Pike Pioneer Museum "really went the extra mile for this event."