The Town of Columbus is attempting to save as much as possible on expenditures for its Fabulous 4th of July celebration this year.
Regardless of the savings, the festival will be similiar to previous years, with fireworks, music, rides and vendors as always. An addition this year will be a 5K run at no cost to the town. Ross Fox asked to sponsor the run and hopes it will be an annual event.
Columbus Town Council met last Thursday and approved a music contract with Peter Eisenbrown for about half the cost of last year. The contract was approved for $7,500 for this years downtown celebration. Last year the town spent about $14,000 on music.
Columbus Mayor Eric McIntyre, who also sits on a 4th of July committee for the town, said the town is also not spending about $5,000 as it did last year for television advertising. Instead, the town has asked the Polk County High School art class to enter a contest to provide posters for the town. Town council members last week said they would hang the posters throughout the area in store windows and may frame the winning poster to place in town hall.
The town is attempting to find sponsors to fund prizes for the top three winners. McIntyre mentioned that the first prize may be $25, the second $15 and the third prize $10.
McIntyre mentioned last month that the town is trying to save about $15,000 overall in expenditures for the festival this year.
Last year the town spent $44,549 on the festival, including staff time and received $23,719 in revenues that included donations, revenues from vendors and rides and sponsorships.
The Fabulous 4th will be held this year on Saturday, July 3.
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