Idea of charging festival admission gets mixed reviews

By HERB BROCK

Staff Writer

Not a single band played it, but you could definitely hear "Taps" being sounded around Becky Shields and her family Sunday afternoon at the Great American Brass Band Festival.

According to Shields, Sunday afternoon's concerts could well be the last GABBF program she and her family attend.

The death of the Danville woman's interest in the festival is related to the possibility that admission might be charged at next year's event. It's been reported that under a proposal being considered by the GABBF committee to defray the ever-growing costs of the event and to offset the loss of some corporate sponsorships, people attending performances at the main stage at Centre College would be charged $5 per person each day of the two-day festival or $8 per person for both days. No admission would be charged for performances at Weisiger Park or any other venues.

"This morning, when we were getting ready to come down here for today's festival, I told everyone that we'd better enjoy today's program because it will be the last time we'll be coming here as a family. A family of five can't afford to pay that much," said Shields, sitting in a lawn chair under a tree with the rest of her family across West Walnut Street near the Centre library.

"One thing that makes this fesitval so special is that it is a time in the summer when families can come together in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy a picnic, each other and the music," chimed in Irma Underhill, also of Danville, sitting next to Shields. "If they start charging, they're going to start losing a lot of the families."

And a lot of teenagers, too. A quartet of Boyle County High School students were harmonious in their opposition to an admission charge, saying it would drive away the packs of young people who roam the festival grounds.

"I'm a member of a jazz band, and I actually like this kind of music. But what I and a lot of other kids my age like the most is walking around and seeing everybody," said Ryan Givhan, cooling his bare feet in the fountain in front of the Norton Center for the Arts. "But if they start charging admission, I'm out of here."

A foot-cooling friend, Emily Twilley, agreed.

"All the kids look forward to the festival because it's fun to see each other in the summer and eat some good food," said Twilley. "But the food costs a lot. I don't think kids can afford both the cost of food and an admission fee.

"It's stupid," said Jessica Davis. "If they start charging admission, it will cut attendance, and kids definitely will be looking for some other place to hang out at this time of year."

But while there were several people of all ages who said they thought the idea of charging admission to the GABBF sounded off key to them, many other festival-goers indicated Sunday they would continue to "hang out" at the festival, although some did have reservations about a charge.

"If they are short on their budget, then I guess it would OK to charge admission," said Allan Glaesser of Harrodsburg. "I'll probably come back, but I think a lot of other people will stay away. I think it will cut down on attendance. Also, I don't see how in the world they could do it, logistically. Do they put up ticket booths? Do they rope off the grounds, or put up barricades? Do they stamp or tag people who've bought tickets?"

Vance Smith of Harrodsburg agreed.

"I'd probably keep coming back, but I think other people might not," Smith said. "They pass the hat every year for donations, and it seems, just from where I sit, they get a lot of money.

"It may be that they might end up not really getting any extra income if they charge a fee," Smith said. "If they charge, they will cut attendance and cut down on donations. So it would be a wash."

"I understand that the festival has grown and, therefore, they need more money. If they charge for it, we'd probably pay," said Jan Lanham of Gravel Switch. "But one of the things that makes this festival unique is that it is free. Charging admission will cut down on attendance and, I think, also the fun and spontaneity of the event."

But other festival-goers said they would return without any reservations, saying a reasonable admission charge would still make the event a bargain compared to similar festivals or other forms of entertainment.

"It's good entertainment, and I'm sure there are a lot of costs involved in such a big event," said Mike Murphy of Lancaster. "I don't think $5, even $10, would be too much to ask, when you consider the value you'd be getting for your money."

"This is my first festival and I was just asking my husband how they could put on such a wonderful show without charging for it," said Margaret Elder of Centerville, Ind. "If the issue is doing what it takes to make the festival survive, and charging admission would help accomplish that, I think an admission fee would be OK. I know I'd be willing to pay, if it's reasonable."

"The main attraction for me is the variety of foods from different cultures, and we already have to pay for that. So what would be wrong for people who come here for the great variety of music to have to pay for that?" said Tony Crawford of Burgin.