GABBF-Generosity of many boosts fest's finances

Generosity of many boosts fest's finances

By LIZ MAPLES
Staff Writer

The Great American Brass Band Festival’s early budget woes have been eased by community contributions, a doubled contribution from the county, help from the city and a plethora of volunteers.

Festival Chair John Albright reports that the festival is well on its way to becoming self sufficient and that this year’s event promises as much “music, talent and family fun as ever.”

The festival has a $60,000 debt, but the festival committee hopes to pay off a “substantial part of it” from this year’s profit, Albright said. Some of it has been paid to keep the interest low.

The budget for the event is roughly $230,000, which is $20,000 less than last year. The three largest areas of expense are the performers, music production and merchandise that later will be sold for profit.

This year, the Farmer’s Bank former branch on Fourth Street will be open until Thursday selling T-shirts, posters and pens. Then the items will be for sale at the festival market.

The poster and T-shirt design follows this year’s theme: “Coming Home to Freedom.”

Bands will cost about $45,000, half of last year’s cost. Some are military bands, which typically cost less. The festival pays for the performers’ fees, travel costs and lodging.

Volunteers have traditionally kept costs down, particularly those who help set up picnic tables 4 p.m. Saturday and take them down after the show.

“The more the merrier,” Albright said. “If we didn’t have great volunteers, there would be no festival.”

Another large source of revenue is the sale of picnic tables. Albright said the committee was pleased that sales have gone so well this year. At the time of printing, the tables were nearly sold out.

Local businesses have contributed donated goods, services and money.

Donations have come in from across the county and from a great cross-section of the community here.

The festival committee was also thankful for the $20,000 donated by the Boyle County Fiscal Court, double last year’s support.

“That was a real pleasant surprise,” Albright said. Danville City Commission gave $25,000 last year and $35,000 this year.

Finally Albright said that the festival owes a debt of gratitude to Centre College’s Norton Center for establishing the brass band’s traditions and all the volunteers there for “helping to make things happen.”

Generosity of many boosts fest's finances

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