Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pioneer Days draws 1,895 visitors; board weighs sponsor help for wagon rides
Summary
Pioneer Days drew 1,895 attendees, generating $4,790.80 in park department revenue. The board discussed rising vendor costs, notably draft-horse wagon fees, and possible corporate sponsorships to keep the event affordable.
LaPorte County’s Pioneer Days attracted 1,895 attendees this year, park staff reported at the Parks and Recreation Board meeting on Oct. 7.
Staff provided a revenue-and-expense summary: park department revenue from the event totaled $4,790.80. Several food and activity booths operate on donations, and staff noted the wagon-ride vendor (Grama Horse Association) charged the parks $1,000 for the event; staff said the vendor indicated current rates near $250 per hour would raise the cost to roughly $2,000 for next year’s event. To keep the ride affordable, staff suggested seeking corporate sponsorships to subsidize the draft-horse wagon.
“It's never been about making a bunch of money,” a staff member said. The board discussed sponsor leads and suggested outreach to local businesses; one attendee suggested contacting Keystone representative Steve Wazinski as a possible sponsor contact for the wagon.
Staff noted attendance levels are lower than the event’s record but still strong, and volunteers and the park foundation helped cover some costs. The board did not approve any new fees or expenditures during the meeting; staff emphasized the goal of keeping the event affordable for families.
Speakers: Parks staff member (report), board members.
Clarifying details: attendance 1,895; park revenue $4,790.80; wagon-ride vendor charged $1,000 this year and indicated rates near $250 per hour for future events; donations covered several food booths’ costs.
