Whoa! What a crazy few months it has been. I just finished up my internship and it has just flown by. I did many interesting things during my internship. I learned some new skills and met lots of new people. This was my second summer with the Chamber and it was just as good as the first. I love the people I work with. They are always making sure I have what I need and would do anything for me. Helen, my supervisor, Ernie, my boss, Nick, and Brittany all treat me like I am just part of the family. I have stayed pretty busy most of the summer helping with different events.
My first event I helped with was the Pioneer Days Rodeo. I helped promote this event and get sponsors. I had to talk on the radio and talk to different people about what was going on and times of everything. I also helped put on the parade. I was the Parade Marshall and helped decorate the judges table.
My second event was Draggin Main. This event is very fun and unique. People from all the surrounding areas come to Clovis and drive up and down our Main Street. There are cars bumper to bumper. The Chamber advertises the event and sells T-Shirts. Old cars came in all the way from Dallas. Here in the Chamber we have the Norman and Vi Petty Rock and Roll Museum and all the drivers of the old cars got to come in and tour the museum for free. We also provided water for them because it was a very hot week.
My third event was Smoke on the Water. This celebration of the Fourth of July is always huge success and such a fun event. People also come from all over to see the firework display. The Chamber takes all the donations and sponsors for the fireworks so it is our job to get all the money for the fireworks. This year did not go exactly how we wanted; there was actually a firework that shot down a street instead of up. The firework malfunctioned and they could not set off a third of the display for fear of blowing everything up. A man’s car was actually hit by an artillery shell off of the firework. There were some people who were upset but most of them were just happy it was the Fourth of July.
My fourth event was the High Plains Junior Rodeo Finals. This is the one event that I pretty much do by myself. I register people, put them in stalls, assign RV spots, get hay for stock contractors, and get all the sponsors. Although it was a very stressful week, it went by smoothly. The thing that it hard about the finals is from Monday until Sunday you are at the Event Center at 6:30 or 7 and do not get home until maybe midnight sometimes later. The most important thing the finals have taught me is people skills how to deal with people who are upset with something or how to accommodate everyone I can.
Even though my internship with Ogallala Commons is done, I will continue to work here at the Chamber. Our next big event is the Clovis Music Festival. Clint Black is booked to perform and the tickets are selling quickly. I look forward to the rest of the summer and all that it has in store.
