The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce put out an interesting letter earlier this week after several folks from service organizations have complained about not receiving any funds from CornFest after the CornFest, Inc. organization reported a loss of roughly $35,000.
With the reported loss from the event, it has put strain on future events this fall and winter as the Chamber is now seeking donations in the form of sponsorships for the Holiday Parade.
According to CornFest, attendance was down 34% this year. When you compound that with last year where attendance was down 20%, it’s a reduced attendance of 54% over a two year period. This equates to less revenue coming in from the gate, along with soda, beer, and water sales.
The letter states that there are not profit dollars to share with organizations—typically, CornFest are these organizations largest fundraisers of the year. The Chamber was quick to point out that those who volunteer and purchase booths are made aware that they do not guarantee donated funds from revenue.
It should be noted, that the event in its history has donated nearly $750,000 in funding to local groups. Clearly, it’s been a rough couple of years but in their defense, you can build and put in months of effort to put on an event, but you can’t make people come and spend money.
As for the Holiday event, the Brentwood Chamber is now looking for about $9-10k in donations by Mid-September to ensure the parade goes on as planned.
Here is a Letter that went out recently from the Chamber
On Sunday, Sept 8th, 2013 The Chamber hosted a BBQ for the Cornfest 2013 Operating Committee with approximately 20 members in attendance. Hamburgers, sausages, and the normal picnic faire were provided by Sticky Chicken & Ribs.
I asked for feedback and the Brentwood Lions’ Rich Barber started out that the purpose of the service organizations was to provide for the Community in various ways. In this case, to provide a fun time for the whole family & this was certainly accomplished. He felt that in the future the emphasis should be stressed on this, not so much on the organization fundraising. If extra funds were raised for them, great!
Robin stated that the people in her area (the Children’s area) were quite happy & all planned to be back next year, some with additional equipment.
The balance of the comments were all positive.
At this point, I then discussed the results of this year’s event. Everyone was fully aware that attendance was off this year. Dirk & I stressed that some expenses that were out-of-hand last year were sharply controlled & greatly reduced this year & that 1 particular profit center was controlled much better than last year. Dust was much less this year because of specific measures taken to reduce it by application of product specifically designed for this. We also had busing available for the outlying lots.
Unfortunately, because of the reduced attendance & revenue, there was a loss & therefore, there aren’t profit dollars to share with our organization partners. All in attendance were predisposed to this as they were actually there & worked & saw that we were substantially lower in attendance.
I then discussed 3 upcoming events that are Community Events that the Chamber organizes & manages, with the help of Grants to defray the cost. The grants have been sharply reduced this year, which will greatly impact what we can do without additional Community sponsorship!
- State of the City – This event is scheduled for Sept. 25th, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Community Center. Sponsored by PGE
- Hometown Halloween – This event is scheduled for Oct. 26th, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at 1st & Oak Streets. Sponsors of this event is Sutter Delta Medical Center and The City Of Brentwood.
- Holiday Parade is normally the Sat. prior to Thanksgiving. This would be Nov. 23rd at 2 p.m. However, this event is in jeopardy as our grants were cut drastically. We need $5000 in sponsorship money immediately if we are going to make this happen. We have to turn in a TUP form to the City by Sept. 23rd for them to be able to do their process. That costs us almost $1000 at that time & it is non-refundable. The amount we need is after a 10% reduction of our costs from last year. Over 1/2 the costs are mandated or safety costs that we cannot reduce. If we could get $500 sponsorships from 10 businesses or individuals, we could still put this on. We need to have these funds in-place by Sept. 19th before I can give the go ahead to proceed.
It is important for everyone to realize that Chamber Staff or Volunteer costs cannot be charged against these grants. The Chamber spends $15,000 to $20,000 on Staff costs to put on the various Community related events, NOT INCLUDING CORNFEST! We do not have the funds to put on this event with the limited funding we have this year. If you would like to help with these costs, please contact Jilda at 634-3344 or email her at Jilda@brentwoodchamber.com . PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT HER WITH COST SAVING IDEAS AS WE HAVE already done this & are continuing to do so.
Thank you,
Ken Seamann
Chamber President.
50 comments
I am sure there would be many more people attending if it was located downtown as it used to be. My family and I have not gone since he move. That is 6 people the come feat is missing out on! Brentwood’s loss.
I’m not a Brentwood resident so I had no say in the matter, but on several Facebook pages, I saw lots of complaints over the dust, and it seems everyone wanted it back downtown (myself included). Perhaps it’s time for them to listen to public opinion. Give them what they want and they will come.
Actually, Michael, you can’t just add the two figures together (20% & 34%). The total drop in attendance from two years ago would be 47% not 54%. Close, but doesn’t rate a cigar.
That said, I’m not trying to be mean, just correct. And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your website’s service to our community.
Agree with everything above.
20+34=54
Sorry Sam.
Although you are correct that 20 + 34 = 54, that is not the correct solution to this mathematical problem. You can’t simply add the percentages together to come out with a correct answer.
Please see my reply and explanation to David further on down.
To everyone else, my apologies for taking this thread off topic.
Sorry Sherrel,
It appears it was never a mathematical problem. I read it as the author advising the total of the declining percentages, not the numbers the percentages represented. It is simple math.
Sorry, in ‘da know,
You’re reading it wrong
“According to CornFest, attendance was down 34% this year. When you compound that with last year where attendance was down 20%. . . ”
Basically, that sentence is saying that in 2012 the attendance was down 20% from 2011. Then it goes on to say that the 2013 attendance was down 34% from 2012.
I don’t see how it could be interpreted any other way.
put it back on the streets , i have heard alot of people not going because of the dirt field you have to walk in , cant even push a stroller through there, you leave there covered in dirt i used to go but have not been back since they have moved it to the field , nothing worse than being sweaty and dirt blowing all over the place stiking to ya
They need to bring the Cornfest back to the downtown and book better bands. No one wants to go to a hot, dusty field to watch crappy bands.
Try not charging a entrance fee. That’s wht the four of us don’t go. It’s a rediculous fee for nothing to do. County fairs charge less.
I agree with everyone! I will not go back until it is down town for many reason! Its expensive, the dust and dirt and its just not that home town feel in a dirt field! We usually have a party with a lot of out of town guests, we do the corn fest then hang out for fireworks. Hasnt happened since the move…
Exactly move it back downtown!
Sad…all the things we moved here for 15 years ago are gone.
Sherrel, you should take a math class. I love when people try and act smart and come off looking like complete idiots.
Please explain where I was wrong. How would you calculate the percentage?
Also, insulting people is really not the best way to disagree. I challenge you to prove that I was wrong.
Well, David, here is a very simple example of why Michael’s calculation was wrong.
1. Assume that two years ago, the attendance was 1000 people.
2. Last year the attendance was down 20%.
3. That means that 200 fewer people did not attend.
1000 * 20% = 200
Or, therefore only 800 people attended.
1000 – 200 = 800
4. This year, the attendance was down 34% from the previous year.
5. That means that 272 fewer people attended.
800 * 34% = 272
Or, therefore only 528 people attended.
800 – 272 = 528
6. 528 people represents 52.8% of the people who had attended two years ago.
Or, therefore a reduction of 47.2%.
100% – 52.8% = 47.2%
Did I pass my math class?
Thanks Sherrel. Your patient and respectful reply should clear up the math confusion for that angry person. You’re as good as Kahn Academy!
@ EECV,
And you are a kiss ass. For those that don’t know, kissing ass and putting words in people’s mouths is his M.O. He is one fucked up individual.
Sorry for going off topic, but be warned. He is a piece of shit.
To In ‘da tantrum, You certainly have some inner anger issues that you need address. There are people you can talk to about that. Wish you luck.
wow. You really do have problems.
I know my math and I know the shit disturbers of east county. Obviously you don’t know either. In time you will learn little cricket.
Rude aggressive comments and personal attacks tell us a lot about the people making them; much more than just their math, logic and reasoning competence. I don’t know “In da know” or “David”, but their rude, aggressive personal attacks make it difficult to take their other comments seriously.
It is interesting that civility and math acuity enjoy such a dramatically direct relationship, at least on this blog. Perhaps not surprising when you consider traits that go with each.
Kudos to Sherrel for her clear and patient communication.
Keep kissing ass, loser, it’s what you do best. You fool NO one but the very few people here who might not know your sad, pathetic history. Rude comments and personal attacks are your forte. The list is long. Keep it up and I’m sure the owner of this site will be happy to expose your two faced bullshit. After all we all know you have it coming.
Karma is a bitch.
My family stopped going when they started charging to get in to the corn fest where you then had to spend even more money to doanything other than walk around…
How could they losethat much money? Whatdo they pay for? It couldn’t be that awful dirt lot! They charge attendees and the booth vendors. Something sounds fishy.
The chamber asked to use the “dirt lot”, it is owned by the Gregorys, long time brentwood family. The property was available, and they allowed the chamber to use it, free of charge!! Even the Gregorys had to pay to get in!!
I have to agree with most here and I have some critiques of my own.
1. Entrance Fee: The entrance fee is entirely too high for the value that the CornFest provides to the attendee. $10.00 general admission whereas the Contra Costa County Fair is only $8.00
2. Dirt, Dirt, and more Dirt. No matter how much dust abatement is performed, the amount of foot traffic is always going to create some; you end up leaving the CornFest not only sweaty, but dirty.
3. Heat. CornFest is held in the middle of one of our hottest months, on dirt/sand. Sandy-colored soil is very reflective. With no natural cooling sources, such as green vegetation, there is no good way of getting away from the heat. You can avoid the direct sunlight by moving under one of the tents, but you still have the reflection to compete with. Downtown provides shade from trees, grass to relax on as well as parks for children to play at.
4. Organization. Everything was compartmentalized, which is good, but the issue is that they were spread too far apart. If you wanted to find food, most food was located in a single area, sponsors in another, general vendors in another, and rides in yet another. Take queues from any convenience or grocery store. There are reasons why the most sought-after items are in the back of the store and why “impulse buy” items are at the register. Milk and meats are typically in the back of the store, forcing you to walk through the entire store to get your purchase, with the hopes that you will purchase additional items on your way too and from the back of the store.
Carnival rides should be the furthest from the entrance. Items that directly bring the CornFest revenue, such as sponsor booths and vendors should be the first and last things people walk passed.
5. Car Show. Now I don’t have a good feel for the number of people that enjoyed the car show, but I can say that for several people, this was the biggest draw for them. No car enthusiast, who spends upwards of a couple of hundred thousand dollars buying/building/restoring an antique/classic/vintage car is going to park their cars in the middle of a field.
Cause the corn fest is in tha dam dirt field now and not tha heart of bwood in grass an on cement!
Since the Cornfest was moved out of downtown the attendance has been in sharp decline, but none of the organizers seem to be putting two and two together. They refuse to look at the cause and effect. They dumbfounded as to why no body wants to stand in a hot dusty field and get fleeced of there money. But yet they will have it in the field again next year and complain that nobody showed up again.
Here is why I don’t go: Dirt, Fee, Boring, Its called the “Corn”-fest, but good luck finding any “corn”!! Can’t even get a decent “Corn”-dog.
I went for the first time 2 years ago when it was in the empty dirt lot off Brentwood Blvd. I found it to be overpriced, not a lot to do or see. I decided I will not be going back until things really change and doesn’t seem to be anytime soon.
Obviously they need to return it to the old downtown park area or terminate the event all together.
No one wants to pay to attend a Dirt-festival.
The former site would bring back the crowds. The problem is mayor bob turned the park into a parking lot and the Taj Mahal known as the ‘bob mahal’. The incompetent mayor and current city council has poisoned the charm of Brentwood. The lethargic condition of Cornfest is the first symptom. Brentwood is a mess and getting worse.
put it back downtown it’s more attractive and helps us become familiar with local store fronts and lower the admission fee. a small fee to help cover cost is one thing say $3-$5. a fee of $10 bringing a family of 5… that’s $50 just for entrance to walk in a hot dust bowl. No thank you I have better options for $50
Come to the Walnut Fest its on grass only $6 to get in $5 with a can food. Pre sale ride tickets for the kids to ride the carnival rides all day. We have the bone there all day sat. With some amazing music. The music is amazing every night. Starting Thursday September 19- 22nd.
I agree.. Move it back downtown. That dusty, dirty old field is a complete turn off to my family… and all of our friends. Duh! It looks like some cheap carnival happening ! Then to charge 10 bucks a person?? Are you kidding me? It ought to be free!! Greed will get you no where fast. Like 35K fast!
We will not return unless they make changes. Carnival rides are not a reason for us to go~ and the shopping was very limited. Bring more booths~ more vendors~ and more shade. The cornfest used to be really fun. This year was bad. We attend many festivals around the Bay Area and will not go back to the cornfest.
CornFest seems to be going in the direction of the (now dead) Almond Fest. The Almond Fest had the same cheesy carnival atmosphere.
CornFest organizers did decrease the amount of dust this year but there is still WAY too much dust. You could see it in the air as you walked around at night. The parking was the worst- just awful, I won’t go back if it has the same set up next year. The set up was disconnected and the carnival rides seemed to be the center of the festival. Having the carnival rides in the front/center emphasizes a carnival atmosphere rather than the small town corn festival that it used to be. Back then the rides were a draw but they were to the side. The entertainment and the booths were what were the main feature.
The heat has always been an issue but wasn’t so bad because there was grass and shade to go sit and relax.
I attended the festival in Oakley yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by what a very fun event it was. There were a couple thousand people( it seemed) and there was lots to see and do. It was a classy clean event- AND they didn’t charge to get in! I would compare the Oakley event to have the potential to be similar to the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival if they build it carefully. I would bet the Oakley event will emerge as the next thing. Brentwood should be paying attention to Oakley- they did it right!
Oh, and Sherrel’s math is right, no big deal. I am sure she was just trying to contribute to the conversation.
There is no reason for folks to be so nasty and obnoxious to each other.
The downturn in the Corn Festival the last two years isn’t the first hint of Brentwood’s demise. The first was that mayor turkey got away with his awful city hall. It is so ugly and out of place. These years have been all about Bob not about Brentwood. Sorry you guys voted him in.
Rename the city and the event!
Welcome to the city of Bobwood.
City motto: “Ignorance is Bob”
City mascot: Bob in a turkey suit
Famous quote: “I don’t have to run for mayor, I am ‘da mayor”. Sniffle, sniffle.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Brentwood_City_Council_recall,_California,_2010
You are one sick puppy ‘da, Grow up.
Wow! You actually mustered enough mental power into almost forming a complete sentence. Almost.
Baby steps, Baby steps little puppy.
YES! Bring Cornfest back downtown and stop making excuses! It is unfortunate that the Chamber president doesn’t care. I attended a “meeting” in regards to the cornfest prior to the event. The president did not care, nor want to hear opinions from the attendees. At one point he was so abrasive and abusive, it was very uncomfortable. You asked us there and asked for opinions, do not attack us for those opinions. Especially when there were some very valid comments. After seeing how the chamber Pres conducted himself, we choose not to renew our membership. It is so unfortunate that the chamber has mishandled the direction and the spirit of what a chamber should be. I look forward to new leadership in the future, and hope the focus returns to the actual community.
Donations?
Mayor Bob can make up for the loss by selling some of his bob’s hot dawgs and donating the needed cash. Wait, he lost that business right after he lost his house to foreclosure.
Is anyone paying attention to the buffoon running our city into the dirt?
The man is a genius at fooling most of the people all of the time. Pay attention people!!!
I feel bad for his wife. I have seen how he treats her in restaurants and she is embarrassed.
Isn’t a “food” festival supposed to be about the product we pride ourselves in? Everyone in Northern California knows about Brentwood corn, just like they know Stockton is known for asparagus and Gilroy is known for garlic. Both or those festivals are wildly successful in comparison, and a lot of people go to those every year to not only enjoy spending time with their families in a fun environment, but also to sample all the interesting and delightful food made with those products! I moved to Oakley three years ago and my husband and I attended the cornfest, expecting to truly experience a great time. The most “corn” I saw was some available cases for sale and maybe one booth selling roasted corn. It was expensive to get in and boring. We left after an hour and vowed to not go again. I think the organizers of this festival should take a close look at what makes other festivals successful, whether it be the entertainment, activities, etc.
The cornfest people asked the Gregory family if they could use the “dirt lot”. Since it was available, they allowed the cornfest to use the property. They used it for free, the Gregory family did not charge for the use. In fact, they also had to pay to get into the cornfest, on the “dirt lot”, they own!! ANYWAY, I agree about downtown, or have it at one of the city owned properties, or parks or schools, at least there are shade trees and grass. Oakley had the Almond fest at the school.
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