Since 1998 my family has spent the second week of July in Kimberley, B.C. We stumbled across the Happy Hans Campground while looking for a place to park our tent trailer. The air was filled with the sound of accordion music. We made our way to the arena and discovered KIOTAC, the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championship. Our two daughters began playing the accordion that week and we have been coming to the competition ever since. In those 13 years we have spent many enjoyable family times and approximately $20,000 of our vacation dollars in the local Kimberley business community. We have done so willingly and would not change any of this. Kimberley is one of the most beautiful places on the earth.

We view this festival as a valuable jewel compared to all other accordion festivals. It would be a shame if this amazing week of accordion music were to come to an end due too a lack of local business participation and need for additional or new help on the executive board. Not only would this disrupt many happy vacationers, but the financial impact in the local Kimberley economy could reach $300,000 each year. Some of the noted changes we have observed since 1998 include the amenities and gifts to the performers. This includes t-shirts, performance pins, meals, free admission to local attractions etc. Performers older than 18 now have to pay for evening entertainment. Prices for drinks and meals in the arena have increased as well, for example $1.75 for a 16 oz bottle of water.

I would love to see more of the local business community as well as the Chamber of Commerce get behind and support this fabulous week of accordion music. I understand that the City of Kimberley owns the Arena and charges KIOTAC over $5,000 for facility use. Perhaps the facility fee could be readjusted to cover the cost of utilities and the remainder could be used to bring back performer incentives and allow all performers free admission to evening events.

As the executive committee of KIOTAC continues to be overworked and overwhelmed, new community members that are compassionate about accordion music need to step up and help to keep this festival alive and vital. The KIOTAC Festival should not be confused with JulyFest; they are not the same.

Thanks are in order for the local businesses that do support KIOTAC. I would like to encourage more business owners to recognize the vacation dollars being brought to this beautiful city due to the accordion contest and lend a hand to keep the “Squeezers” coming to town. The beautiful printed programs have a lot of room for business owners to purchase advertisement space. Consider this money well spent.

John Baker

Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S.A.