Helpful hints: Giving George some spice

I heart George.

That's George as in the town of George, thank you very much.

In attending those events in George that directly relate to the town's namesake, the very first president of the United States, I've been struck by the small town's dedication to its future through its history, and the history of our nation. Those include the Fourth of July celebration, and the American History nights held during the winter earlier this year.

During the course of George's July 4 celebration, which also happened to be the 48th anniversary of the town's inception, under the guidance of town founder Charlie Brown, Mary Lou Krautscheid, one of several hard-working event staff members and a member of the George Burkettes and George Community Hall board, explained that there are hopes to expand the event and awareness of the town, possibly including a carnival.

Without the event, the town will die, she said, and noted that people on the East Coast are not aware of George's existence.

Donation cans surrounding the celebration's giant cherry pie July 4 served as further reminders that the pie, which was free to the public, was not free to make, and the event is dependent upon its supporters.

Krautscheid also noted that in two years, the celebration and the town of George will mark their 50th anniversaries.

In anticipation of that event occurring July 4, 2007, I offer a few humble suggestions (some serious, some merely half-serious) in the spirit of increasing awareness of and helping the event grow even more:

1. Convince George Washington himself to be a greeter. Dress up a willing individual, or round up some public figure to wear the costume, and have the nation first president endorse his namesake town's activities by loudly meeting people as they enter. And remember to embrace the funny. Historical accuracy is nice, but more people are drawn to humor, and George never actually set foot in George. Added bonus: Find a similarly willing individual to be George's wife Martha, and let the two trade quips throughout the day.

2. Invite Sarah Vowell to the party. As the author of books like "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" and the more recent "Assassination Vacation" (about her visits to the sites of the first three presidential assassinations) and a frequent commentator on National Public Radio's This American Life, Vowell has made wry looks at the history of America her bread and butter. (She's also the voice of the daughter in "The Incredibles.") The 50th anniversary of the town named for the first president and founded by a man who shares his name with a "Peanuts" character sounds like it would be right up her alley. Added bonus: Vowell brings with her the possibility of coverage on This American Life, and her own dedicated fan base. Spread the word about her appearance, and the numbers of those attendance may grow further. Another potential guest: David McCullough, author of "1776" and "John Adams."

3. Show us George's life and times. That goes for both the town and the man. Set up a TV to show Washington's biography on a continuous loop throughout the day or, better yet, put on a play in the Community Hall to progress through the president's life and times as the event proceeds throughout the day, starting with birth. Again, remember: Embrace the funny. People can watch little Georgie enter adolescence, pop out for a piece of pie, and then check back in later as he's crossing the Delaware. Also, put up a history of the town to appease historical thrill-seekers.

4. Bring in more merchandising. Loved the shirts and hats already available, and how about a giant collectible mug of milk to go with the giant cherry pie?

5. The pie, antique tractor pull, the cherry bomb run, the grand parade, the pie-eating contest, the pit-spitting contest, the day-long live entertainment and the fireworks at dusk. I have no notes. These are already community-blending perfection. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't change a thing.

Matthew Weaver is the business and agriculture reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald.