Brentwood Files 2013 CornFest Evaluation Report

The City of Brentwood received and filed a report from the Brentwood Chamber Cornfest Fund, Inc. regarding the 2013 CornFest during their consent calendar approval on Tuesday evening.

The City of Brentwood contributed $31,000 to the event while the Chamber of Commerce paid the City a total of $39,923 for various expenses.

In December, it was announced that the CornFest would go on a hiatus in 2014 until further notice. Meanwhile, back in September it was announced that CornFest lost nearly $35,000 in the event.

Editors note:
While financially the report highlights a loss, we should also try and remember the good over the history of the event where those working hard on the event and volunteers helped the event be able to donate nearly $750,000 in funding to local groups.

Here is an overview of the report from Tuesday night:

Attendance
The report highlights that total attendance for 2013 was down from 2012, overall attendance was estimated at just 17,000.  Gate fees were down 33% for three days after being down 19% the year before.

PR For Brentwood
$27,000 in hard dollars were spent on advertising and an equal amount, if not more, was generated in co-op advertising and free advertising, all highlighting Brentwood and Brentwood Cornfest. There was also stories about the CornFest, before, during, and after the event, in all the major regional newspapers, many including pictures.

Safety
No major incidents were reported.

Carnival
Overall revenues from the carnival were down equal to the overall attendance.

Fireworks
This years show was slightly larger than last years. There were some firing issues with this year event and this seemed to dampen the crowds mood and some complaints were voiced to the organizers. As in years past, the City of Brentwood did sponsor the fireworks and CornFest was very grateful.

Finances
For 2013 compared to 2012, the revenue from sponsorships decreased about 10%; the gate proceeds saw a decrease of 33%, beer sales, soda sales, and corn sales were lower due to the decreased attendance. The proceeds from the vendors were down approximately 18.5 %; overall shortfalls came mainly from the concern over dust from the previous year. Overall revenue for the event were down however expenses were also down from 2012 by 6%.

Chamber/City Partnership

Chamber paid the City a total of $39,923.17 for various services and expenses incurred by Police, Parks & Recreation, and Public Works staff.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. An invoice in the amount of $39,923.17was paid by the Chamber of Commerce for City services provided for and outlined in the MOU.The City waived fees in the amount of $2,660 and awarded a grant in the amount of $28,595 from the City’s Economic Development Grant Program to the Chamber of Commerce towards

the cost of fireworks.

For the full report:
http://www.ci.brentwood.ca.us/citycouncil/ePacket/ccap2014/ccep20140128.pdf

Below is a copy of the Chamber of Commerce Letter cancelling the 2014 event.

November 19, 2013

Dear Extended family of Brentwood residents,

CORNFEST is an event that is distinctly Brentwood. It was designed to be family friendly, providing fun for all – an experience to showcase the community that our residents love and appreciate.

Biting into crisp, succulent corn, fresh from our local farms,…watching our children or grandchildren petting the animals & competing in the tractor races,…learning about local businesses & City updates,…listening to favorite live music,…oohing & aahing over the magnificent fireworks display…Always something for everyone.

One key goal is to raise funds to be distributed to a variety of community groups who make this City such a wonderful place to live. The lifeblood of our community is composed of groups like these, people who lift others up, provide purpose and build character. We applaud them.

The CORNFEST is a non-profit event, relying on volunteers who contribute endless hours of effort to bring it to fruition. Many folks do not realize the amount of advance work needed to make CORNFEST happen. Planning starts the year before. In December, work begins in earnest for an event the following July. The heavy lifting starts 4 months prior, continuing up and through the event. Afterward; the analysis. Costs are totaled, income is tallied; when all dollars are accounted for, a determination is made.

In order to distribute money to local organizations, CORNFEST must bring in more money than the costs to put on the event. This year, that did not happen. In fact, this is the 2nd year in the last 4 years where expenses exceeded income.

After careful consideration and agonizing dialogue, the CONFEST board has determined that there will be no CORNFEST in Brentwood for 2014.

A flurry of words, emotions, ideas and criticisms have flown about. It is nice to know that many people have a strong affinity for this community event. For those folks, we would simply encourage them to carefully consider how a 2015 CORNFEST could be made successful. A cautionary note: Criticism is of no value without a meaningful solution.

To everyone who has contributed to making each & every past CORNFEST happen, we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. You are our heroes.

In appreciation,

The CORNFEST Board &

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Board