on i t ec S l a i ec p S
By Jordan Fischer • jordan@youarecurrent.com
In 1992, then-eight-year Carmel resident Jeff Worrell joined the CarmelFest committee as a way to get involved with the community. In 1994, he served as the chairman. This year, for his 20th anniversary with CarmelFest, he’s reprising that role, taking over for former CarmelFest chairman Gary Frey. “Gary set up an excellent organization, so my job this year was to come in and not break anything,” Worrell said. “We have a great team. They all are experts at what they do. So my job has been to facilitate and make sure we’re all marching down the same road. But the experts in each area continue to do their job, and do it very well.” The job is a year-round endeavor, culminating in the CarmelFest celebration over Tuesday and Wednesday that has seen as many as 50,000 participants in years past, according to estimates by the Carmel Police Dept. The festival employs 38 police officers during the parade, six at all times on site, two teams of roving paramedics and numerous firefighters who always are on site. And the festival’s budget has grown to $200,000, which needs to be raised each year. “That’s a big nut to crack,” Worrell said. “It takes everything from major sponsor like St.Vincent Health and Firestone to selling somewhere around 5,000 Spark Buttons.” Spark Buttons, now an iconic part of CarmelFest, began as an idea Worrell borrowed from his hometown in 1994 to serve as a supplementary fundraising source. “Part of the reason I got involved [in CarmelFest] was that my dad was heavily involved in our Fourth of July celebration when I was growing up,” Worrell said. “And Spark Buttons came from that. “I think the first year I might have sold 50 buttons if I was lucky. No one knew what they were,” Worrell said. “But they’ve really grown and taken off. Now when I’m working a farmers market, it’s really cool to hear people say they’ve bought one every year since 1995 or whatever.” Worrell said he sometimes hears criticism about how difficult it is to fund a $200,000 event with $3 Spark Buttons (light-up Spark Buttons are also available for the first time this year at $6), but sees them as an integral part of the celebration. “I believe it’s important for the community to not rely on the St.Vincents of the world, but to pitch in and help support the celebration,” he said. “A lot of kids
Chairman Jeff Worrell celebrates his 20th year with CarmelFest
Continued on Page 3
CarmelFest Chairman Jeff Worrell stands in front of the City Communication Tower -- the red light at the top of which will be the signal that you can see the 4th of July fireworks. (Photo by Zach Ross)
The future of health care is branching out. July 3-4, 2012 To learn more, visit FranciscanStFrancis.org/Carmel. www.carmelfest.net
12188-B N. Meridian St., Carmel, IN 46032