The Harry Stout Foundation

Harry Fest 19 Rains Supreme!

It was bound to happen.

When you hold an outdoor event in Michigan in May, it’s inevitable. But not since Harry Fest 13, the inaugural event for Harry’s Foundation has it rained. And although the precipitation that began to fall shortly after 2:00 PM kept hundreds of people from venturing out to the festive setting at Bittersweet Ski Resort, the spirit of Harry Fest was alive and well, and in many regards, it was one of the most impactful events to date.

At 2:00 PM, our board President Matt Adams was anticipating the largest turn-out in Harry Fest history.

“I looked around the grounds at 2:00 and I had never seen such a huge crowd at that time of day” Adams said. “The Midway was packed, seating in the food tent was full, concert seating and the hill were densely populated and more people were pulling into the parking lot. When the rain came, we didn’t see a real influx of new people, but surprisingly, those that were already here stayed. Although we are disappointed we didn’t have more attendance, we were thrilled with the overall success and execution of the event. It was very efficient, family friendly and a lot of fun” Adams added.

Kids of all ages were entertained with the Harry Fest Midway that included a huge rock climbing wall, giant inflatable’s, a mechanical bull and several other attractions. Younger children were delighted with the special balloon creation made for them and the face painting station. Adults loved the values at the silent auction where custom art work, gas grills, golf packages and electronics were snapped up for incredibly low prices. And everyone enjoyed the food and the great live music from Dani Jamerson, Los Bandits de Michigan, Union Blues, Mid Life Crisis and Small Town Son. The weather canceled the Harry Stout All Star Bands performance, but the band performed later that evening at the M-89 Sports Bar with several special guests.

But this Harry Fest had some attractions none of the previous fests could boast.

Foundation Vice-President Andy Winter devised a clever way to propose to his girlfriend, and moments later handed out the courage award named after his late wife Amy, to Harry’s grandfather, Joe Stout. Receiving the award brought tears to the 86 year old volunteer’s eyes who knew and adored Amy Winter’s courageous effort to make others lives better.

Old friends embraced, the grill masters were hard at work, children were having the time of their life and everyone was taking in the essence of what Harry Fest is all about…appreciation. Appreciation for what is, what we have…what is now.

I doubt I could share this “appreciation” for appreciation with you a few years ago when our entire family was reeling from the loss of our son and brother, Harry Stout. Harry was just 12 when he passed on and it happened without warning. One day, life is grand, the next, unimaginable pain and sorrow. I was reminded of that pain when I spoke to a father and daughter who lost their son and brother just two years ago. When they spoke, I felt the pain, the hurt, and the disbelief that still lingered in their hearts. I knew it all too well. We talked for some time and I tried to give them a glimpse of what can be; that there is hope and some light in what currently feels like a hopeless and dark existence. I told them that over time, my grief had morphed into appreciation for what Harry and I had while we were together. That I am grateful for the relationship we had. I am grateful that when he left, he and everyone in our family knew how much we loved each other. For how much we laughed together and how that laughter is still with me and the time we spent together so joyfully. I am grateful how much we appreciated each other. For me, a greater tragedy is parents and children who live full lives that don’t speak to each other, who don’t spend time together, who don’t express how much they love each other.

The last thing I shared was the experience I had three years after Harry left us. Ironically it took place about half way up the hill at Bittersweet Ski Resort the day after Harry Fest. I was sitting alone, holding a balloon I had found and thinking about Harry and how tough the last few years had been without him. I thought about the nothingness I had felt and how I had done my best to block out anything joyful. Life during this time was simply a process of survival and getting through another day. But on this morning, I went a little bit deeper and had an epiphany of sorts. As I let the balloon go, I embraced the reality that although this was not how I expected my life to be, it was my life now. And it was OK. From that day forward, joy returned.

I had this exact conversation with my friend Andy about a year after his wife passed on. His pain was also familiar, and every day was a struggle for him. On this day however, his smile told a different story, and I asked him after he proposed to his bride to be at Harry Fest if he remembered our conversation from a year ago. When I shared my experience and how when the time was right he would recognize it. That maybe he would find himself saying… “this isn’t how I expected my life to be, but this is my life now. And it’s OK.”

We hugged and he told me how true it was and how happy he was to again feel the joy life presents.

Harry Fest 19 may not have had the record turnout we expected nor raised the amount of money we had hoped to give back to the community, but that is only one small part of what Harry Fest is all about. Everyone is dealing with something, some more challenging than others, but if these things cause us to lose focus of what is and what is now, then we lose our ability to appreciate what we have while we have it. Harry Fest is and will always be about appreciation and a joyful reminder that no matter what is going in our lives, what events take place or what inconvenience may be happening, there is something to appreciate… whenever we are ready for it.

Even when it rains on your outdoor event.

I appreciate you.

Joe Stout