Applications are now being accepted for grants to organizations planning a festival or event in Fairmont.  The newly formed Fairmont Festivals and Events Fund, the organization providing the monies, is an offshoot of Fairmont Glows.  It was suggested that a committee should be formed to use the monies raised at the auction for all the festivals in town, helping to make them bigger and better. 

The new committee was formed last fall, and the first Fairmont Festivals and Events Fund auction was held in place of the Glows auction in November.  Approximately $4,000 was raised at the fundraiser, which will be used solely for events in Fairmont.  The objective of the new committee is “to increase the quality and effectiveness of Fairmont festivals and events”, according to its’ policy.  Committee members are Mike Foster, Bev Korolewski, Joe Kallemeyn, Stephanie Busiahn from the Fairmont CVB, and Bob Wallace from the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce.

There are guidelines that must be followed for organizations to qualify, but the committee has given itself some leeway when awarding grants, at least in the beginning. 

Applications and guidelines can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website at http://www.fairmont.org/chamber/activities.htm, or can be picked up at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 323 E Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont.  Applications must be received no later than 45 days before the event to qualify for funding.