In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Lancaster County Wood Carvers (LCWC) organization stands as a beacon for woodcarving enthusiasts across the Mid-Atlantic region. With a history of nearly five decades, LCWC has been dedicated to teaching and promoting the art of woodcarving within its community and beyond. One of the hallmark events of the organization is the annual “Wonders in Wood” woodcarving show and competition, held at the Ville Courts on the campus of Millersville University. In this case study, we will be diving into the partnership between LCWC and Millersville University, exploring the organization’s goals, successes, and logistical insights from hosting their marquee event at the university.
Interviewee:
Bob Hershey, Show Chairman, Lancaster County Woodcarvers
Tell us about your organization and the events that you have held at Millersville University.
We are the Lancaster County Wood Carvers (LCWC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our purpose is to teach and promote woodcarving within our club, community and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The highlight of our year is Wonders in Wood, a woodcarving show and competition held annually at the Ville Courts on the campus of Millersville University. Next year will be our 50th annual show. We typically have 60 to 70 exhibitors and 1,100 to 1,200 visitors.
What have been some of your goals with sponsoring the various events?
Our goal with the show and all our events is to share our love for woodcarving, advance the skill of all carvers, and introduce woodcarving to more people. Wonders in Wood is an excellent opportunity to share ideas with other carvers and to showcase our work within the community.
What have been the successes that you have realized through your campus events?
The LCWC has had a long history of holding our annual show at Millersville University. Our event has continued to grow steadily over the years. It is now the biggest woodcarving show in the entire northeastern United States and one of the largest in the country.
What can you share regarding the event logistics that have helped make your events successful?
Throughout the years LCWC have been holding our shows at Millersville, we have worked with many different staff members from the University. Everyone has been very helpful and eager to accommodate our needs. The University personnel set up and tear down our display tables and chairs. It is always a smooth operation.
Why do you decide to come back to Millersville University for your events?
The number one reason we continue to come back is the excellence of the Ville Courts. It is large enough to hold our event and all the people we need to accommodate. There is plenty of open space for our chairs and display tables. The lighting is very good, which is of utmost importance to us.
What general advice do you have for other groups planning events for their organization?
Groups should provide a detailed plan of how they want the area set up. They should provide plenty of seating for people. In our case, we have an older crowd, so extra seating is important. They should give you accurate information on any special needs, such as power or audio.
All in all, the partnership between Lancaster County Woodcarvers and Millersville University has flourished over the years, culminating in the success of the annual “Wonders in Wood” woodcarving show. Through shared goals, effective communication, and seamless logistics, LCWC has been able to showcase its love for woodcarving while fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts. The cooperation between LCWC and Millersville University is a tribute to their partnership in producing events that are memorable and meaningful, as LCWC looks forward to its 50th annual show. This three-day conference at Millersville takes cooperation from not only LCWC but also various departments on campus like Campus Recreation, Technical Operations, Millersville University Police Department, Housekeeping, and Dining & Catering Services. All of these departments work simultaneously for event success, highlighting the collective effort and dedication of the entire university community.
If you want to learn more about LCWC check out the following links for their Website and Facebook pages.