Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Loyal reader firelady comes back with much more eloquently expressed thoughts than I on the continuing HATCHfest discussion, so here she is again:
I’m glad to have another perspective on Hatchfest/The Party. I have some further observations with this added perspective.
1. It’s really hard to start anything from scratch. The organizers are doing a great job, and for the most part, have the best of intentions/followed important guidelines for starting a project like this.
2. It can be difficult to develop a project when considering both the perceptions of external stakeholders (the Bozeman people) and people within the community. The perception of legitimacy when starting out- with limited resources, too few hands/brains, and too much work- is a daunting environment. I think it’s better to overshoot the mark (the perception of pretensiousness) than to appear like you aren’t ready for primetime.
3. I think the dialogue that has transpired here exemplifies the changes going on in Asheville, the community’s perception of itself in the face of the dramatic changes and as it relates to the broader world. These are very important discussions to be having, and they are sometimes difficult to have using this type of format. People can get snooty, snide and critical, others can be cross with the criticism, especially after doing a tremendous amount of work. I think this is what happens in a community laden with people who truly care about their region, and want to participate. These can be generative conversations, as the region finds its way in a rapidly changing environment.
Alison- thanks for your perspective. Kudos to you and your compadres. It takes a fundamental audacity to start something like this. By the way, I was making fun of myself for not being invited- I have recently moved here and hadn’t expected to be invited. I understand the multiple considerations that go into decisions about these type of events (from personal experience.) Also, I was aware that Hatchfest is a separate 501©3, but that given AW’s investment in helping to purchase the franchising rights, there is an implied expectation (public accountability) of broader, long term community economic sustainability.
You are to be commended for extending the opportunity for others to participate in the development of Hatchfest. I’ve been truly impressed by the generative nature of the Asheville community- people are engaged and eager to contribute. As Hatchfest and Asheville develop an authentic future identity, dialogue is imperative.
