Photo by Amber M. McCloskey
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By Ashley Fuller
Cherokee Tribune Staff Writer
Mia Temples of Cherokee County's yearlong effort will soon pay off at the end of the month with the 24th annual Riverfest arts and crafts festival.
Her work on this year's event has earned her the recognition as the Cherokee FOCUS (Families of Cherokee United in Service) Volunteer of the Month for September.
Over the course of the year, Mrs. Temples estimates she has put "several hundred" hours into organizing Riverfest, the signature event and main fundraiser for the Service League of Cherokee County. The task of planning the event is nearly year-long: she picked her committee last November, and planning began in January.
"The job itself has been wonderful," said the southeast Cherokee resident. "I have an exceptional group of committee chairs that are all doing their parts. They all come together. We have a very good process by now."
The mother of two, who also works as a media specialist at Hickory Flat Elementary School, said trying to juggle a family life along with the duties of Riverfest chairwoman is a "big job."
Stacy Westbrook, president of the Service League of Cherokee County, said she chose Mrs. Temples as Riverfest chairwoman because of her leadership abilities.
"She is very reliable," she said. "It is just a huge undertaking. I knew she would be able to get it done, and I wouldn't have to worry about it."
Funds raised by Riverfest, which offers shopping, entertainment, children's activities and concessions, go back into the community to support children in need.
The two-day event on Sept. 27 and 28 at Boling Park in Canton attracts about 25,000 people, making it the county's largest annual event. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and younger, and the proceeds are used to fund needs ranging from helping a family pay its utility bill to providing eyeglasses for a child.
Mrs. Temples was introduced to the league 10 years ago by a neighbor.
"My first few years in the league were a learning experience, but right off the bat, Riverfest was my love," said Mrs. Temples, who previously has served as chairwoman of various committees for the event. "It is a rewarding experience. We can really make a difference. It is doing a really good thing for the county."
She said watching the event unfold each year is what makes it special for her.
"To me, it is an amazing thing to go to the park Friday and have it look like Boling Park and watch it transform into Riverfest," she said. "It is fun to watch it evolve. It is a good way to bond with the community."
Mrs. Temples encourages anybody to get involved with the event as a sponsor, volunteer or patron.
"The opportunity is there because the need is there," she said. "It really makes a difference in the lives of these kids."
afuller@cherokeetribune.com
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