Producers

John Curtis

Chairperson

John has been a member of the SOKF for the last three years and promptly reformatted our Saturday night auction into a far more efficient and successful production. He has also been involved in organizing the Banquet which accompanies the Auction. John is a member of the American Kitefliers Association (AKA), director of the Janice Curtis Memorial Bird Sanctuary nonprofit, and co-director of the local cribbage club. “I love the people I work with; they inspire me to do my best.”

Emily Grimes

Co-Chairperson

Co-Chairperson Emily Grimes has been with the SOKF since 2007, after retiring as the statewide events manager for a major financial institution, and serves as the liaison with our media sponsors. This is Emily’s second year as Co-Chairperson, and she’s been the coordinator of the SOKF’s annual Young Poets’ Contest since its inception.

Kathy Neuman

Secretary

Kathy has been a member of the SOKF for the last three years, is in her second term as Secretary, and is co-chairperson of our Auction/Banquet Committee. Kathy was a travel counselor for 25 years and loves working with people and helping them to have a good time.

Michael Pitts-Campbell

Treasurer

Michael has watched the SOKF every since it began in 1993, joined the Committee shortly after his retirement from law enforcement, and has been Treasurer since 2012, his second year on the Committee. In addition, he has served a term as Chairperson, and three as Secretary. Michael is also an amateur kite flyer and a member of the AKA, and of the regional kite club.

Daryl ‘Red’ Bailey

Red has been a member of the Committee for the last four years and served two terms as Co- Chair. Red is invaluable in making things work, helps produce the fliers’ welcome dinner on Friday night and operates the Fliers and Volunteers’ Cafe for Saturday’s and Sunday’s lunches. Red is also an amateur kite flyer, a member of the AKA, and of the regional kite club.

LaVeeta Bailey

LaVeeta has been a member of the Committee for the last four years and digs in to do more than her share of the ‘grunt work’ to make the Festival happen. She helps produce the fliers’ welcome dinner on Friday night and operates the Fliers’ and Volunteers’ Cafe on Saturday and Sunday. LaVeeta retired as a teacher’s aide from an elementary school and found the SOKF inspirational because of the children’s kite making workshops and bringing children outdoors at an early age to fly kites. She’s also an experienced kite watcher (“I love to watch kites as they are flying, all the different colors, shapes, and sizes”) and is a member of the AKA and the regional kite club.

Eleanor Cook

Eleanor, in addition to her full-time job, has been a member of the Committee for the last 4 years and manages and operates both the fliers’ welcome dinner on Friday night and the Fliers’ and Volunteers’ Cafe for Saturday’s and Sunday’s lunches.

Mike Macdonald

Mike has been on the Committee since he arrived in Brookings in the Spring of 2011. He has served as Chairman four times and produced our 80-page program several times. Mike has been an avid and talented amateur kite flier for well over 20 years. He’s a member of the AKA, and of the regional kite club.

Jessie McAdams

2017 is Jessie’s first year on the Committee but she is no stranger to the SOKF, having been the Event Coordinator at Lucky 7 Casino in Smith River, where the SOKF holds its Auction Banquets and an enthusiastic spectator at the Festival for several years. Jessie immediately jumped into the middle of things and volunteered for several subcommittees and is also backing Michael up at the Treasurer’s position. “This is actually my favorite festival of the year.”

Marihelen Pitts-Campbell

Marihelen had watched the SOKF ever since it started in 1993 and joined the Committee in 2011. Since 2012, Marihelen has been gathering and organizing the 80 to 100 community volunteers needed every year to produce the Festival. Marihelen is an experienced kite watcher and is a member of the AKA and the regional kite club.