Thame's annual festival will be shortened to one day this year.
The carnival procession through the town and the fete will take place on June 23.
The decision was taken after a poor response to an appeal for more people to help with the event, which has been a major feature of the town's calendar for 25 years.
The immediate past chairman Nick Stock resigned after suffering a heart attack.
There were fears it would not take place at all this year but president Len Webb, who started the festival, took over.
Committee members decided that for this year the usual week-long festival would be cut.
Mr Webb said: "I am taking the chair for just 12 months to keep the festival going."
The organising committee is appealing for more groups and clubs to take a stall at the fete.
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