For around 28 years I have had the honor of serving this community through the committee for Good Ol’ Days, Auburn Good Ol’ Days and Auburn Days, the original name from 100 years ago.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know four mayors, countless volunteers, community leaders and top notch people who just seem to gravitate toward a place of positive influence and a welcome smile.

We have built leaders, connected people, assisted growing businesses and taught youth the value of volunteering. There are eight hours to work, eight hours to sleep, and how you spend the other eight hours can change a life.

The committee’s motto has always been, “No biases allowed, and you must have fun or don’t do it.” We all play nice in the sandbox together no matter what because we throw a party for the Auburn community and its visitors.

In my first year I was a single business owner with two young children. I was invited to get involved by Gene Kasper, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce business manager. I passed out flyers the first year, and at the critique meeting I shared some thoughts about parades, children and entertainment. Lesson learned.

When I was asked to be the festival director, I politely declined, only to find that Gene had announced my acceptance of the offered position in the newspaper. That is how we did it “old school” in Auburn.

The City of Auburn and I have been working together, forming a transition plan for the festival for a few years. My gratitude for their consideration of carrying forward and keeping Auburn Days safe for generations to come is heartfelt. It is a big project.

The City has supported the event in so many ways over the years. There will be new ideas and energy for us to enjoy, and I will always be here to support the event in whatever capacity I am needed.

Their capable staff along with the festival volunteers will continue to give Auburn a place to go in August to meet their old friends, new friends, school chums and neighbors.

While I’m stepping down as director, I will remain a consultant for the festival. For me, it’s sad, but it’s time.

The www.auburndays.com website will remain as an archive place to keep the history and photos of the festival. It will direct the event queries to the city website as soon as it makes sense. I will be forming a task force to help with the vast undertaking of posting old photos and such that relate to the community even beyond the festival.

See you there in the information booth at Main Street and Division this weekend.

Thank you one and all for the good times, fond memories and for the parts that you played making me a better person.

Connie Henke, the Auburn Days festival director, works and lives in Auburn.