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Room Tax Commission approves $10,000 for Bull Falls Blues Fest
Summary
The Wausau Room Tax Commission voted to award $10,000 to the Bull Falls Blues Fest from available room-tax funds; commissioners heard organizers' plans to broaden the festival's music mix and noted an estimated $48,100 available for disbursement as of Dec. 31, 2024.
The Wausau Room Tax Commission on Jan. 27 approved a $10,000 tourism grant request for the Bull Falls Blues Fest, a recurring summer event held at For an Island in Wausau.
Mary Anne, a commission staff member, told commissioners that “as of December 31st, you have $48,100 available to disperse,” money the commission could use for 2025 grants. Alessandra, a Bull Falls Blues Fest representative, told the commission the festival submitted a $10,000 application and said the event is making programming changes to draw younger attendees: “Friday night, we're starting to bring in different bands, to possibly, have multi genres in the future.” Alessandra added the recently released lineup has produced “a huge spike in ticket sales.”
Commissioners asked about the festival’s marketing and lodging arrangements. Alessandra said the festival plans to repeat much of last year’s marketing mix, including targeted social media and an out-of-market regional ad buy, and that the event works with multiple hotels via shuttle service. She said the shuttle schedule includes about eight hotels on the Wausau route and additional stops in Weston and Rothschild; Jefferson Street Inn was already sold out for the event weekend in prior years. She also said ticket prices were raised for general admission and VIP this year but that rising costs have limited revenue gains.
Member Henke moved to approve the $10,000 request; Member Vandeatt seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The commission’s staff noted the funding request was in line with past allocations to the festival and that the commission will continue to collect final reports from 2024 recipients for review at the next meeting.
