Open Harvest Celebrates 30th Anniversary August 7, 2005
By Jackie Barnhardt, Outreach and Member Coordinator
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Open Harvest celebrated the 30th Anniversary in the parking lot in front of the coop on a hot Nebraska day. People fanned themselves as they enjoyed music, food, and discounts on groceries August 7. Chris Sayre performed folk music, followed by bluegrass from the Toasted Ponies. Ripple Effect finished out the day with jam band music. Anniversary cake was served next door at Meadowlark Coffee, who generously donated their space to help with the party.
A dunk tank was brought in to 'Dunk the GM' and others who volunteered to help raise money for the Friendship Home. KZUM Radio raised money by selling burritos made by the Open Harvest Deli. Over a dozen local vendors came to display their products and services. Irvingdale Neighborhood Association helped cool the crowd by providing Lincoln's only organic lemon sno-cones.
A sprayground was set up to help cool folks down. Kids enjoyed HyFy the clown, face painting, hula hoops, and making fruit kebabs. Staff and kids created "Hogwarts Castle" from recycled boxes.
Many newcomers were drawn to the event, as well as hundreds of longtime co-op members. Awareness of Open Harvest continues to grow and many were attracted by the music drifting through the neighborhood.
As the day heated up and the folks began to wipe their brows, it occurred to me, how many people have sweat to bring Open Harvest to our 30th anniversary milestone? Hundreds or perhaps a thousand or more? So many have labored to build this cooperative. I know how much grunt work goes in every week as we receive a dozen or more delivery trucks and staff works to get the groceries on the shelves. But in our early days, so much of the capital was built with the sweat equity of carpenters, electricians, plumbers and others who volunteered their labor because they believed in this co-op.
In 1990, the membership helped to move the entire store from 27th and Randolph to our present location on South Street. Volunteers are still important to us today.
Countless hours have been contributed to create the success we now enjoy. With gratitude, we extend our thanks to our past and present membership, Board of Directors, our volunteers, our staff and the community of Lincoln. You all make us all very proud.