By Sarah Rah
NORTH FORK — “We love North Fork!” echoed across Downtown North Fork on February 3. The town is auditioning for a spot on HGTV’s Hometown Makeover show, competing against hundreds of other small towns across America.
Michelle Miller (left) and Wade Wheeler (center) coordinated scores of volunteers at the gathering with the Visitors Bureau’s Creative Director Steve Montalto (right) handling the cameras (photo by Sarah Rah)
Recently, Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite/Madera County Visitors Bureau, took the first step to apply for the audition.
According to Aran Johal, president of the Eastern Madera County Chamber Alliance, the chambers selected North Fork as an ideal makeover candidate.
North Fork Chamber of Commerce, North Fork History Group, North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and other local community organizations are joining in the application process.
The audition video filming event began at the ‘Welcome to North Fork’ sign where 50 people pitched reasons North Fork is such a great place to live and visit. The crowd then wandered through North Fork’s village area, sharing stories about places of interest.
The idea to apply for the makeover audition has been circulating for some time, with Cassie Verduzco of North Fork among those who started the conversation a while back.
HGTV is expected to announce finalists for the Hometown Makeover show later this year.
