This week The Ribfest Committee hosted a Panel Discussion on Ribfest 2019. 

 

Lucie began the discussion suggesting that they would  share some of the challenges they faced in 2018.  Announcing that this year it was Young Ngo who was the chair.  Next Year our own Lucie Shaw will be chairing the fest. Of course, we as a club will be supporting Lucie in every way possible.

Rick Fawcett indicated that the revenue between 2017  and 2018 was 453,000  and 404,000 respectively and that the attendance at Memorial park was half from 69,000 to the figure of 30,000. However the most contributing factor to the dismal results was the additional costs of a $30,000 stage, lighting and the additional fencing requirements as the park is much bigger.  So the pathway to success would be to attract more attention and reduce expenses.  There was a request made that perhaps the city could create a new stage and provide more lighting as this would not only help Rotary but the public and other events creating a better, safer, and less expensive event area.