2011 brings the 15th Anniversary of the Cityfolk Festival. We are so proud to have been able to present world music in downtown Dayton in a free event for 15 years. Not only do we love exposing Daytonians to all genres of music but we love that we have been able to keep the festival free so that EVERYONE can have access to that music. Cityfolk has been lucky to have support from organizations on the local, state and federal level. In the past two years, that support, while still present, has been dwindling. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council have seen huge cuts in their budgets, which results in less money to the organizations that they support. Local companies, still have a strong commitment to local non-profits, but that commitment has been smaller as their budgets have also seen cutbacks.
We desperately want to keep Cityfolk and the festival going and adding diversity to the city but we need your help to do this. In 2011 we are asking for a “suggested donation” of at least $5 from everyone who attends and enjoys the festival. We will have stations set up at all entrances and roving groups of people asking for donations throughout the festival. We know this is a tough time for our area, but if everyone gives just a little it will make a big difference.
Some festival statistics:
· Use approximately 800 volunteers
· 2010 estimated attendance was 70,000
· Approximate cost to produce the festival is $350,000
· 60% of our food vendors are local, 22% are from Ohio
· Spend an estimated $125,000 with local suppliers to put on festival
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14 comments:
Best $5.00 any music enthusiast could spend
Thank you!
$5 is a bargain for everything Cityfolk and the Cityfolk festival provides to Southwest Ohio - please give more to continue this annual summer tradition!
Only $5? What an incredible deal for the best three day party with the most diverse line-up of music to be found! Count me in for $5 and more!
Great deal for $5. I think I put in at least $10 last year and will this year.
Continue to promote and market 'local' participation. That increases my desire to participate.
$350k and I'll bet that is without the value of the 800 volunteers. WOW!
It if it were $5.00 per family I'd say great. But since it's per person then that is not acceptable. I cannot afford that for my family of 7! Suggested donation is good IF you don't keep people out of they don't pay it! Pretty bad to start charging. If you can't afford the cost it takes to bring the entertainers to town then I'd say either give it up or don't bring as many performers. They aren't they great to begin with! But charging this much per person is not cool!
Hey, Anonymous: No problem. There are hundreds of people who have given generously every year so that you can attend the festival. Some have given by contributing their own money to Cityfolk. Others have contributed by becoming a member of Cityfolk, and others have contributed by volunteering for the festival or one of the many events that make Cityfolk such a great resource. All of these people have gotten involved because they love great music and art and they want it to be available to everyone (including you). So if you and your family can't afford it, that's no problem. Enjoy yourself. But if you ever find yourself in a position to contribute to it, remember that you were able to attend because other people made it happen. And if you're not happy with the quality of what happens at the festival, I'm not sure what to say, since some of the greatest performers from America and around the world have performed there every year. I'm not sure exactly what you're expecting, especially since you don't seem to want to pay for it, but you should know that there are few, if any, festivals in this country where you can experience such great music for free.
Hope to see you there. (And I'm throwing an extra 35 bucks in the pail this year. That's so you and your family can attend and know you've paid your way). I hope my friends will join me in throwing in an extra $35 so that other families of seven can enjoy this great event.
Well said John! I really do enjoy being able to bring my family downtown again because of Riverscape. $5 is a bargin!
John - I'll be happy to join you in an extra $35.
Times really are hard, when a suggested $5/person causes stress, so I do hope that everyone who has been going through the downside of this economy will come out and enjoy the music and the party...without guilt...we'll keep ya covered!
I am a person of "very limited" income. And yes, I do work. (for the school system). I have to scrape up money just to purchase one of those great funnel cakes. There is no way I could "donate" a entrance fee for this event. And I have looked at the "entertainment" list of groups performing this year,,, "never" heard of any of these people. Now when KC and The Sunshine Band was there that was great! And no one should ever have to pay for a "seat up front" to watch the entertainment. So I will stick to the day of the fireworks and hope it's not 90 degrees out and enjoy my funnel cake.
John Harris said "since you don't seem to want to pay for it". Maybe John didn't mean that to come off as snotty, but that's how I read it. Please, John, (and I mean this with all due respect) remember that when some people say they cannot afford to pay $5 per person its a serious matter for them, not that they JUST don't want to pay. Additionally, when people are used to something always being free, and they are truly looking forward to it, then suddenly to be asked to pay $5 per person is a shock. I agree it is a bargain for all the groups there, but remember that the cost of buying drinks and food makes up for that quickly - the vendors are VERY pricey. If I recall, no coolers or drinks are allowed from outside - am I right? So please consider the perspective of those who truly do not have the resources available and do not think unkindly of them. They are sharing their plight with you in reaction to a big change. That is what this forum is about, is it not? I, too, am not able to afford a donation of $5 right now. My friend asked me to look up the schedule assuring me the event was free. This news will be upsetting to her, too. She works 7 days a week - 12 hours a day - and still barely scrapes by. Some people are not able to understand how that can be, but this is what many people face these days. Thank you for your time.
Can't wait to check out the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sierra Hull, and Junior Brown. 5 dollars is a steal for acts of this caliber. I'm gonna get the up front seats both nights. If you've never heard the Chocolate Drops you're in for a real treat. Junior Brown is known as Hilbilly Hendrix. Sierra Hull is a mandolin goddess who has played with Allison Krauss. I am so stoked! If admission was $15 bucks it would still be a steal.
YEP... It is the best entertainment you could EVER have for $5.00 - I had always wondered why they did not charge in the first place... Most of these festivals are much higher priced.
To anonymous: I truly do understand that some people can't afford to pay $5, and I have always been committed to making sure everyone can attend the festival, whether they can afford to pay or not. That's why it's so important for those who CAN afford it to pay what they can (myself included). The reality is that the festival is expensive to produce and the support Cityolk receives from corporations and other sources has been cut dramatically in recent years. So if we want to continue this great event, individuals need to help. There may be no charge to attend the festival, but it is not free. Cityfolk is a non-profit organization and they need everyone to give what they can.
And just to emphasize the point, since many seem to have missed it: Cityfolk is asking for a $5 SUGGESTED donation. The festival is free and open to everyone.
Everyone is welcome at the Cityfolk Festival, whether they can afford to pay or not. I just hope those that can will give generously to support one of the best free festivals anywhere.
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