Brooks Tower, the founder of the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES), recently announced that he is stepping down as director of the non-profit group and taking time out for his family and the possibility of new pursuits.
“I founded CAES in February of 2009 because I wanted to create annual, affordable, family-friendly events in Cochrane,” he explained.
“The kernel of this whole thing is that I moved to Cochrane in 1990, raised my family here and I always felt there were gaps here.”
Brooks said he is parting on a positive note, leaving the endeavours of the society up to a ‘very capable’ board of directors.
As the chair of the Cochrane Labour Day Parade for the last seven years, Tower said he is ‘very satisfied’ with how the annual parade has grown under the wing of CAES — to be viewed on multiple local and Calgary media channels, with attendance and participation growing each year.
“I’m hopeful that we’ve sunk strong enough roots in Cochrane that both WinterFest and SummerFest will continue to grow and prosper.”
With a track record that has seen Tower involved in a number of community groups and pursuits, including theatre and music, he is not certain where to focus his efforts next — although it is highly unlikely this would be the last time that the community hears from Tower, whose passion for community and the arts will likely see him resurface in the future.
“To the businesses in Cochrane, I have so much gratitude for your generosity and support over the years and to the people of Cochrane who have attended all the CAES-sponsored events — thank you.”
To learn more about CAES, visit cochraneevents.ca.
