Jamie Robertson

Jamie Robertson, Wadena

The idea of a local pageant was conceived by Jamie Robertson, executive director of Wadena Historical and Environmental Learning Project (WHELP).He and his wife saw a pageant during a summer solstice celebration in Grand Marais and he was struck by the beauty, simplicity and spontaneity of it."The pageant in Grand Marais was magical.It was simple, but touching, a wonderful event for the people of the community," Robertson said."It was too good of an event to have only in one place."

Encouraged by support from the WHELP board and local theater and arts organizations, Robertson applied for a Statewide Audience Development Initiative (SADI) grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.The purpose of the grant is to "broaden, deepen and diversify the arts."The local grant is to "diversify creator participation through planning, research and implementation of a regional community theatrical pageant."

Robertson was notified last fall that WHELP received at $10,000 grant to pursue the project.He formed a committee from board members of the supporting organizations of WHELP, Lamplighter Community Theatre, Madhatters Community Theater and the Staples Motley Area Arts Council.Committee members included Robertson, Harrison, Amy Hunter Pam Collins, Brenda Halvorson, Don Hoffmann and Dee Polman.
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Robertson said the people at each of the sites have been very helpful.

"This will enhance the whole idea of the park," said Jamie Robertson, executive director of Wadena Historical and Environmental Learning Project, or WHELP.

He added that later it may be possible for get more land exchanges to get the park to its original boundaries.

Jamie Robertson, executive director of the Wadena Historical Environmental Learning Project, came up with the idea of having a summer solstice celebration here after seeing one in Grand Marais.

Roberts applied for a Statewide Audience Development Initiative grant and received $10,000 to help broaden a deeper participation in the arts through a pageant.With WHELP and several arts groups in the area behind the project, the next step was to decide on a play.

The committee was formed from board members in other arts group including WHELP, Lamplighters Community Theatre, Madhatters Community Theatre and the Staples Motley Area Arts Council.The members include Robertson, Mary Harrison, Amy Hunter, Pam Collins, Brenda Halvorson, Don Hoffmann and Dee Polman.
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Robertson brought an old Slavic folktale of an old man that traveled from the beginning of time looking for something.