WOLFVILLE – A video celebrating Wolfville’s 125 years is resonating with thousands as it circulates Facebook.
Wes Booth, the creative mind behind the camera who creates videos for the town’s tourism campaign called Do It In Wolfville, compiled the video slideshow with the help of Randall House Museum curator Krystal Tanner and video narrator Tim MacFarland.
The video reached 82,000 views within its first week, and now sits at more than 93,000, with 1,500 shares – a number that’s made it the most-viewed Do It In Wolfville video yet.
“We were really hoping this video would take off the way it has, and it’s obvious there are so many people who care about Wolfville. This video embraces that,” said Booth.
Staying true to town’s story
Photos for the video were sourced from the museum’s archives by Tanner, who helped Booth narrow down what to include in the video.
It’s a process Booth said inspired him to read up on his town’s history in a way he’d never done before. He sought history books written by local authors, and read through ‘Mud Creek: The history of the town of Wolfville’ and ‘Historic Wolfville: Grand Pré and Countryside,’ coming away from them with an even greater appreciation for the town he’s called home since only a few months old.
Those photos and that narrative, compellingly voiced by MacFarland, are what Booth said were key to the video’s success.
“We stayed true to the town’s story, and Tim’s voice is one that tells that story well. It’s a voice that people know, and that reflects the town,” he said.
Reminding people why they love Wolfville
Booth has now filmed and produced nearly ten videos for the Do It In Wolfville campaign, for which he is contracted through the Wolfville Business Development Corporation.
He said much credit is due to the WBDC, for taking a leap of faith and investing in a unique project using video and social media to draw more people to the town.
“The #doitinwolfville project is one of the most significant of its kind in the province right now, and it’s showing,” said Booth.
With more videos in the works to promote Wolfville for the upcoming tourist season, Booth is a busy man, but said he hopes to create more videos that inspire people as much as this latest one has.
“It’s an opportunity to remind people how much they love Wolfville, and why so many people visit,” he said.
"It also reminds us all why we're so privileged to live here."
Visit Do It In Wolfville's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/doitinwolfville/