Our alumni group at Truckee Meadows Community College has truly been championed by the college’s President, Dr. Maria Sheehan. One day she said, “We have this idea.” Within a month, we formed a committee to start planning an open air market/street festival run by the Alumni Association. I was and still am amazed at the response and willingness of alumni, from elected officials to local business owners, to jump in with both feet and get involved. When we looked at the figure that 95% of students at the college stay in Nevada after graduation, it sinks in that TMCC is a huge part of the community.
At every turn during the feasibility, and now implementation, stages of what has become the Biggest Little Street Faire, it has been a collaborative process. Growing up in a small town, I’ve always appreciated the “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” mentality. And now that I’m working in a city of over 200,000 people, I couldn’t be happier to see that this community cherishes the same hometown spirit. This pilot project is an example of what can happen when city officials, local merchants and non-profit organizations all work together toward a common goal of providing assistance to students. Proceeds from the Faire will benefit first generation college students to work toward an academic degree. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this project and part of this Biggest Little City.
Our first “Biggest Little Street Faire” will be on Saturday, May 17 from 2-6 p.m. in the West Street Market courtyard on West Street between First and Second Streets. We’ll continue on the third Saturday of each month from June to October. The dates are June 21, July 19,August 16, September 20 and October 18. Contact me, Lisa Farmer, if you’d like to participate or be a vendor; ldfarmer@tmcc.edu.
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