Mike Roth holds court, and judging by the crowds, it’s been a taste of success.
He looks for something to appeal to everyone.
Roth, a quality control engineer, has been in charge of the Hormel-sponsored John C. Fremont Days food court for years.
He’s even exceeded a six-year term limit. His current term ends in 2009.
“I took over for someone who transferred -- and then had my own six-year term,” Roth said.
As part of his responsibility, Roth works with a State of Nebraska health inspector. Vendors must have a permit and pass inspection to open.
“Mike is our trouble-shooter for the food court,” said Kevin Eairleywine, current board president.
But that’s not all.
Roth served as president of the John C. Fremont Days board for two years.
He helps organize the Spam Cook-off.
“It’s a pretty sizable event,” Roth said.
It now has its own committee of Hormel employees and friends.
Variety and uniqueness make a vendor a crowd pleaser.
“We try not to duplicate,” Roth said.
There are about
16 stands in John C. Fremont City Park plus four or five downtown.
“One vendor does funnel cakes -- they’re exclusive,” Roth said. “For the first time last year, we had a variety of wraps. One prides himself on the fact that he sells real ice cream.”
Another, RoRo’s Concessions, serves real lemonade.
Papa John’s Genuine Greek Foods is a favorite for gyros.
“Banda’s -- what a good pork tenderloin -- it covers a paper plate,” Roth said.
Vendors like the park.
“There are a lot of repeat vendors in City Park -- once they get there, they don’t want to leave,” Roth said. “(It’s) one of the best festivals they attend. They like the size and draw. Last year the vendors said it was the best year they ever had.”
Roth said board members work together.
“Generally we try to buddy up,” Roth said.
That might mean helping with the rodeo or beer garden.
“I’m in the parade -- I take a ‘Gator’ and patrol up and down,” Roth said.
That includes picking up behind the horses as needed.
One year stands out in particular for Roth. Typically the temperatures would heat up, but then break, Roth said.
But in 2006, the temperature rose to nearly 100 degrees, with a heat index of about 110. Officials almost canceled the annual parade.
“We had two trailers of ice, but we were out by Saturday morning,” Roth said.
As soon as more ice was available, board members drove Gator utility vehicles to deliver ice and quickly restocked the vendors.
“He worked so hard,” Eairleywine said. “He really spends the festival time itself making sure providers and buyers have a good experience.”
But when Roth has a free moment, he squeezes in a visit to RoRo’s Concessions.
“I always go for lemonade,” Roth said.
The 33-year Hormel employee lives in Omaha and previously worked in Austin, Minn., Atlanta and Dallas.
But he doesn’t take all the credit for his participation.
“Hormel has always encouraged employees to be involved -- all kinds of volunteer work,” Roth said.
He enjoys each year’s fest.
“It’s a blast,” Roth said.
“The activity you plan for a whole year happens so fast,” Roth said.
As each festival winds down, planning begins for the next year.
So once again in 2009, Roth will be courting food vendors.
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