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Dragon Boats Festival Proves Expensive
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Chad Koenen - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Tuesday, 15 December 2009 15:01


According to an income and expense report dated November 17, the SDF festival made $32,913.83 in 2009. By comparison, the chamber spent a total of $36,409.90 for a net loss of $3,496.07.

A lionshare of the income from last year's dragon boat festival came from 24 team sponsorships at $550 apiece, and eight major sponsorships at $1,500. Other major income for the chamber include the food vendors, chamber booth sales, donations and the Friday night Spaghetti Feed.

Nearly 60 percent of the expenses associated with the dragon boat festival pertain to the Great White North workers and boat rental. Of the $21,431.16 pertaining to the Great White North, $13,925 was associated with boat rental, $4,608.44 was associated with airfare, and $2,897.72 was associated with transporting the boats. Other major expenses include worker salaries, a payment for boat steerers, port a potties, and Rainbow Rider. In the initial few years, the chamber has also been forced to upgrade some of the equipment in the park to help improve the atmosphere and environment at the dragon boat festival.

One-time upgrades to the speaker system were paid for in 2009, but will disappear from the 2010 expenses.

To help offset the nearly $3,500 shortfall in expenses, the chamber held an Octoberfest fundraiser this fall, which generated $3,769.25. However, the final expenses have yet to be totalled for the fundraiser.

Last year's Spring Fling fundraiser has also helped offset some of the shortfalls from the dragon boat festival by raising a total of $2,621.3. The chamber will also be selling 2010 SDF Calenders and books which are being sold at Samuelsons Drug and A Touch of Class to help raise money.

"The question right now is, why are you doing it if you are not making enough money to support it," said Vaadeland.

But the hope is if the event can continue to expand its field, and attract a few additional sponsors, that the SDF can support itself in the future without the need of fundraisers. In the meantime, Vaadeland said the extra fundraisers will help keep a new event that showcases the beauty of Starbuck and the surrounding area to a large group of people financially viable.

"We feel it is important for people to visit our community and have a great time on our beautiful lake," she said.

With the ability to bring a large group of people to town for a fun-filled weekend, Vaadeland said the dragon boat festival has helped showcase Starbuck's charm and the beauty of the Lake Minnewaska area, something that cannot be measured by money.

"We appreciate everyone coming down and having fun with us," she said.

Vaadeland said both the chamber and herself are grateful for the overwhelming success of the dragon boat festival and have appreciated the support from the public. She said without the support of the public, events like the SDF will not be possible.

Next year's dragon boat festival is scheduled for August 2010.