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Mike Jewell, center, supervises the construction of the music stage at Lake Sacajawea for July's Go Fourth festivities. Greg Ebersole / Daily News file

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Go 4th 2009 not a sure bet, organizers say

Saturday, November 8, 2008 11:34 PM PST

By Amy M.E. Fischer

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Organizers of Longview’s annual Fourth of July celebration say next year’s festival could be canceled due to a money shortage, but city officials are taking steps to help Go 4th go forth.

Friday, the Go 4th Festival Association — a volunteer committee — said if it can’t come up with $10,000 to pay for Longview Police security at the three-day community event at Lake Sacajawea, it may have no other option but to abort plans for the 2009 festival.

“We want the public to know we’re in trouble. We are in dire financial straits,” said Go 4th treasurer Marianne Chambers.

In previous years, the city supplied police officers at no charge to the festival, but because of a budget shortfall, the City Council decided last month to stop funding police overtime for non-city–sponsored events.

Arleen Hubble, director of the Go 4th association, said there was “no way” the committee could raise $10,000 in addition to all the other festival expenses, which totaled nearly $100,000 this year. Rising costs mean next year’s festival budget is expected to be $115,000 to $120,000, Chambers said.

But the committee is having trouble getting sponsors for the 2009 festival, which they’d planned to expand with new events such as canoe races, a movie night and a street dance, she said. Even without the $10,000 security charge, the committee is realizing it must scale back those plans, she said. Sales of Go 4th raffle buttons, priced at $1 since the late 1970s, were slow last summer, and button revenues fell $8,000 short. They didn’t cover the cost of the $20,000 fireworks display.

Then there’s the logging show, musical entertainment, insurance, operating expenses, portable toilets and trash collection to pay for, Chambers said.

Seeking outside help, the Go 4th association applied for city lodging tax money in June. Each year, the city allocates taxes collected by hotels and motels to groups holding events that promote tourism. However, the lodging tax advisory committee denied Go 4th’s request last month because of an error in the application, Chambers said.

Friday morning, she and Hubble met with City Manager Bob Gregory to plead their case.

Gregory said the City Council understands the importance of the festival and wants to see it happen. And so, the council decided last week to re-open the lodging tax application process so the Go 4th association could apply for funding to help cover the $10,000 police security expense, Gregory said Friday evening.

The lodging tax committee allocated only $14,600 of its $20,000 pot for 2009 and 2010, he said. That means there is $13,000 available for agency requests such as Go 4th’s, he said.

“Having said that, there’s no guarantees,” Gregory warned. “Who knows what other applications will come in for hotel/motel dollars.”

However, he added that any competing applications would have to be “awfully compelling” for the City Council not to support Go 4th.

The city will accept lodging tax requests in December and ask the lodging tax advisory committee to make a recommendation at the beginning of January for who will receive the funds, he said.

Chambers said the Go 4th committee begins writing checks and signing vendor contracts in December, and that by mid-January, the Go 4th buttons are in production.

“What happens if we finish and don’t have money to pay all the bills we’ve incurred?” Chambers asked. “Right now we’re trying to decide if the crapshoot is worth it.”

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UW Squirrels wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:32 AM:

" First the Fort Vancouver celebration, and now Go 4th? Why don't we just cancel the 4th of July altogether? Maybe they should just shorten it to a one day event and just have it on the 4th if they're having financial trouble. "

skibowlruler wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:50 AM:

" perfect focus for the city officials im sure.. city manager... council..committee..im headed to hang with the real world... down in the unemployment line "

momto1 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:19 AM:

" I enjoy the Go 4th festival a lot, why don't they do some fund raisers like every other organizations? Besides their buttons. "

Tortoise wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:27 AM:

" Yeah, start raising money NOW. I haven't attended Go 4th in a few years, but I'd be sad to see it end. "

See the light wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:30 AM:

" One thing that could be improved for Go 4th is to offer better vendors. What I see are all carnival-type, cheap, "Made in China" trinkets. And all the vendors have the same thing! My hard earned dollars are not going to be spent on these type of vendors. Why can't we have more local artists and crafts? The food available at the Go 4th has greatly improved, tho. I also agree with Momto1 about having more fundraisers for the Go 4th. I would hate to see this celebration be disbanded for lack of funds! "

alertcitizen wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:42 AM:

" I personally avoid the lake because of the crowds and the mess. I enjoy the free concerts though. Perhaps the concerts should become a form of revenue for the 4th... I don't purchase the buttons either. I usually just show up for the fireworks and leave. Sorry. You need to figure out how to have people like me contribute to the event. "

Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:43 AM:

" July 4th, 2009 is a Saturday. Why not have a 2 day event. I find it hard to believe that Lowes, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Fred Meyers are unwilling to sponsor such a long running, well attended, high product exposure event. Maybe selling buttons isn't working like it used to back in the 70's? "

somedude wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:21 AM:

" How about holding a two Day Fishing Derby at the lake maybe Put on By Bob's? They could bring their little portable fishing pond for the kids and the Adult hit the lake For a small Entry Fee of course to be donated to the Go fourth fund?.It seems no matter how Bad our Economy is doing Bob's is always rockin! People love to fish in this area so why not see who can haul the biggest fish out of the lake? Another Idea offer a VIP ticket, where you can buy a Prime Spot to watch the Fire Works served with a Nice Salmon Dinner and a quick way out after the Show? The Problem with the lake is that it's the same old thing every year and people are tired of that and do not want to spend money at the event other than to Eat. Oh, here another one, Do not let the Elephant ear vendor in this year and have the Go 4th people sell them, I men you have to wait almost 45 minutes to get one, Put all that money back in! How about having a Wine and Cheese tasting Event at the lake not everyone want to go to the Beer Gardens! "

Blogger Jogger wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:27 AM:

" Raise the price of the button to $2.50 or $3.00 each, increase the quality of the raffle prizes and see what happens. The mental image is that anything that only costs one dollar can't be worth much. Most raffle tickets today (which are just paper, not a nice button) are at least $2/ea or 3 for $5. "

lucky1 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:32 AM:

" In the past they havent allowed coorporate sponsorship. Is this something that they are now doing? I think this would be a great way to increase there funding. I am sure there are a lot of business that would chip in for a little recognition. "

nexus wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:49 AM:

" I agree with Pewllwerds. Come on guys hit up Weyco, Norpac, Fibre, Red Canoe, Cowlitz Bank and on and on. Talk to them now while the Fiscal 09 calander is getting determined now!! "

mwallin wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:23 AM:

" what does the $115-120,000 budget cover? if only $20,000 for the fireworks dispay and $10,000 for the Police. "

Sparkler wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:36 AM:

" It's my guess that if the GO 4th celebration is cancelled that we will see a major influx of "reservation" fireworks in local neighborhoods resulting in more injuries and fires. Just a thought. "

lucky1 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:44 AM:

" My family and I love the parade and the fireworks. We usually spend a couple hours walking through the booths while waiting for the fireworks. I own a business and would be willing to make a donation to make I can take my daughter down to the lake every year. If there is someone to contact would the paper please post the info. "

Chambers wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:07 PM:

" I'll try and answer as many questions as you have all posted.
1. We do take corporate sponsors. I have been asking and many of the sponsors from the past are turning us down this year.
2. All the suggested sponsors already donate!
3. We talked about raising the price of buttons - it's not off the table. We are debating that price increase - it doesn't feel right when unemployment is so high. We do feel that if we raise the prices - we would need big prizes.
4. The budget covers partially - but not limited to: Insurance, Prizes for our Timbersports Competition (we do have 3 World Championship events), Stage rental, sound. bands, portable toilets, garbage, security (we already hire security to patrol the area at night), button production, rent, telephone, fireworks, barricades, signs, misc office expenses such as postage and printing of contracts.
5. Please keep in mind while you are trashing the volunteers of the festival - that there are about 10-15 of us who work all year long to put on this free event.
6. The majority of the money we raise comes from the vendors in the marketplace. If we reduce the festival to two days - we'd be worse off. There are fixed expenses that must be covered. "

Chambers wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Additionally, over the past few years, we have had multiple requests from the community to improve the fireworks. Which we did.
The fireworks are not at their size limit allowed at the lake. We negotiated a price based on a three year contract which we feel addressed the suggestions. And considering the comments we received after the last show, I believe we were successful.
The sale of buttons have not in recent years covered the cost of the fireworks. Fireworks $20k. We try to sell 16,000 buttons each year - we did sell out 2 years ago. We were close this year. But with the cost of production, we fell $12k short of covering the fireworks. Hence the consideration of increasing button prices to $2.
If the community would support that price increase - we can try it.
Sponsors via cash and in kind compromise about $54,000 each year. Those of you who feel the local businesses don't support us - I can assure you they do. They help out as much as they can. We know that those can still can will - but what if those businesses can't?
We are doing everything we can to find money - but what if? That's what we're saying.
We want to go forward. It's more important in bad times than good to have free events! "

cheney119 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Excellent idea UW Squirrels, from the prespective of a resident of the old west side one day is plenty. Just have it on the 4th, that's when all the main events occur. "

Press wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:54 PM:

" I am laughing at th high cost of fireworks. It is made in cheap china, and in the third world I am in every event has mall and business sponsors.
and every event has a really huge fireworks display.

Let business's also put their services on the lake during the two days and charge them 20% of sales.

different then what you would charge non-profit organizations.

America is considered the milk and honey of all countries and they can not even afford what other countries poorer then them can afford?

Something is not right here.

I agree sell hotdogs and cokes in mall parking lots and sell pre go-forth raffle ticketsnot just raise money just before the funds.

You see why little man Al always worked hard to sell buttons and raise voting signatures.

Lets not let little old man Al's spirit down by having this event cancelled. "

Chambers wrote on Nov 8, 2008 1:27 PM:

" Correction - We ARE at the size limit for fireworks. "

lucky1 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 2:11 PM:

" Chambers: There was no info on how to get ahold of you. "

pearl wrote on Nov 8, 2008 2:45 PM:

" well with all thats going on, such as GM about to go bye bye I think we have a few more pressing matters to attend to. I too like the go 4th events. but its the same each year over and over. "

stag wrote on Nov 8, 2008 3:15 PM:

" I'm with the others are say in this blog. But what kills me is that the police want to be paid overtime for something that at one time they didn't get paid. I'm not saying that a person can't be paid or do something for free. What I am saying is that in these hard times that we are in right now that there should be a understanding of what needs to be done. Yes I think that Safeway, Lowes, and Fred Myers should help because this is there place to as well and they do say that help the commuinty as well. I'm for a fishing derby for the kids and Bob's I think would go for something like this. If there is something that others can do to help to make sure that this never goes away we should all come together and help. Fundraisers would be to me a good answer to make sure that this never goes away. As for the Police this is there town and should do this on there free time because this is there community as well to... I hope others will give there ideas so we can come together and find the answers. "

kg wrote on Nov 8, 2008 3:53 PM:

" How about in addition to maybe one or two very large prizes, to offer many, many smaller ones. That way, it increases the chances of people winning. Thus, people might be more apt to purchasing a button if they know they might win *something.* "

Gondolapete wrote on Nov 8, 2008 6:50 PM:

" Big deal...cancel it.. "

Ella Mentry wrote on Nov 8, 2008 6:53 PM:

" Would the world end if they cancelled the thing? 1++ "

Ella Mentry wrote on Nov 8, 2008 6:56 PM:

" Why don't they use the funds from all the fines they want to collect from homeless people? "

Kay English wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:13 PM:

" How much does it cost to clean up after the 4th events? "

DEH wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:29 PM:

" First, I would like to thank the volunteers who put so much time and effort into making Go 4th happen every year. I would be very sad to see the event become a thing of the past. I know that this is a big fundraiser for many nonprofits who run food booths during the 4th, and that loss of funds would definitely impact them. I have also been able to enjoy the Timber show and appreciate what it adds to the festival. At the same time, however, if the show adds a lot of cost to the overall event, maybe it should be one of the things to go. Just a thought. I'd rather have the festival without it than no festival at all, though I'm sure there are people who show up just for that since it's always packed. I just hope something can be figured out to save the festival. "

northender wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:47 PM:

" Could the Longview-Kelso chiefs of police and the Cowlitz County Sheriff post a sign up sheet for donated time at this event?? Possibly have a law enforcement presentation each day? Promote good will and have fun with the community! "

CC Longview wrote on Nov 8, 2008 8:30 PM:

" Obviously with the economy the committee is trying to do everything it can to keep the cost down. As for the fishing tank, it's in the works this year at the Kidsfest on one of the days leading up to the 4th. The other days (at Kidsfest) will be filled with much more of the same; free games and prizes.
More volunteers are always welcomed to help out. "

tallsy wrote on Nov 8, 2008 8:42 PM:

" There needs to be more fundraisers to help the Go 4th. I have been going to the Go4th every year and I love the fireworks. The City Needs to do something to keep the tradition going "

rv wrote on Nov 8, 2008 8:50 PM:

" Stag: There is a little hitch in asking the PD to volunteer their time at the lake. It's a little federal law called the fair labor standard act that makes it illegal for an employee to volunteer to do the job for free that they normally get paid for. Wouldn't be good to ask those that are supposed to enforce the law to break it! "

onmymind wrote on Nov 8, 2008 8:56 PM:

" Go fourth should stick with four day schedule. Charitable or church groups are selling most if not all the food at the the lake. If we reduce the number of days we reduce the amount of money that ends up back in the community through these charities. "

starfire wrote on Nov 9, 2008 1:42 AM:

" Having the beer garden miles away from the lake probably doesn't help any. Drinking beer in a parking lot doesn't even sound appealing to me. I would pay to drink a beer at the lake, though.

Also, what I find very un-festive about Go Fourth is, if they don't have a band playing (and there is a LOT of time when there isn't) there is no recorded music or radio music playing. Last year I worked at an info booth and it was very quiet much of the time. They really need to consider having music playing all the time to liven the place up. "

cheney119 wrote on Nov 9, 2008 2:43 AM:

" Onmymind let's look at the logic of your post. Charitable or chruch groups need a 4 day schedule to raise money at the same time as the Go 4th Committee is losing money? Maybe those charities and churches should be kicking in to make up the difference. Button sales are already down and people suggest tripleing the price. The choice may be just the 4th or nothing at all, the Vancouver observance has been cancelled; time to get real. It's going to be a deep bad recession. "

abokaa wrote on Nov 9, 2008 2:03 PM:

" I think GO 4th should get permits for a couple of fire works stands in town. Why not? "

bucketball wrote on Nov 9, 2008 3:52 PM:

" abokaa, that's a pretty good idea as it would probably generate alot of the money needed for the festival. Unlike the people who don't care just say cancel it, I like taking my family out to see the fireworks and listen to live music. These bah humbugs just assume cancel it instead of putting in ideas how to raise the money for an event that thousands of people enjoy every year. "

Gondolapete wrote on Nov 9, 2008 7:42 PM:

" I/We buy our own illegal fireworks every year..we have a huge BBQ, lots of beer and some of the coolest artillery you ever seen going up in the air...I could not care less about the lake and their lame "Go 4th" fiasco.... "

crowsfeet wrote on Nov 9, 2008 8:51 PM:

" I always thought the 4th of July was celebrated with family, food and fireworks. We don't need three days of debauchery. "

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