Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events And Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council questions $90,000 booking for Jacksons headline at Main Street Fest; organizers say sponsorships will cover cost
Summary
Council members probed a $90,000 fee to book The Jacksons as the Friday-night headliner for the Main Street Fest moved to Oct. 24; Parks staff said the festival remains free and the cost will be recovered through sponsorships.
Council members raised questions about a $90,000 contract to book The Jacksons as the Friday-night headliner for Grand Prairie’s Main Street Fest, an item presented as part of the consent agenda.
Kelly Edelman, administration and community engagement manager for the Parks and Recreation Department, told the council the booking is for the Friday night of Main Street Fest, which this year is being moved to the fall and scheduled for Oct. 24. The festival will remain free to the public, Edelman said, and staff expects to recover the headline cost through sponsorships.
Council Member Harold Willis pressed staff on the fee and said $90,000 seemed high for an hour-and-a-half performance. Edelman and other staff noted the city had secured sponsorships and that Main Street Fest traditionally charges no admission. Staff said additional lineup announcements would be made soon and confirmed the stage will be in front of City Hall, the same setup as previous years.
The item was approved as part of the consent agenda. Council members said they expect staff to continue seeking sponsorships to offset artist fees and to provide additional lineup details prior to the event.
