Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board backs new Sharkapalooza festival with $15,000 grant to support family event
Loading...
Summary
The Downtown Development Board awarded $15,000 to Sharkapalooza, a new nonprofit ocean‑conservation and art festival planned for May 16 at Coachmen Park after applicants detailed partners and budget; staff had recommended a smaller award of $6,760.
The Downtown Development Board approved a $15,000 community event grant for Sharkapalooza, a one‑day art and ocean‑conservation festival set for May 16 at Coachmen Park. Staff recommended $6,760 to cover eligible production costs, but the board voted to provide the full $15,000 requested by the applicant.
Founder and executive director Jessica Adnich said Sharkapalooza had become a registered nonprofit and had secured major partners including the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Mote, and conservation partner OCEARCH. She described a vendored juried show and interactive exhibits intended to engage youth on ocean conservation. "Sharkapalooza is officially a non profit as of the first of the year," Adnich told the board, and she said organizers planned national marketing and community partnerships to grow the festival.
Board members praised the proposal’s transparency and marketing plan; several members said staff’s recommended figure undercounts the value of the founders’ in‑kind marketing and that the event could draw families and school groups. Staff emphasized safety and permit needs—park fees, barricades, insurance—and said items not covered by the DDB program would remain the applicant’s responsibility.
The board moved and seconded approval of the full $15,000 request and recorded the motion as approved by roll call.
Next steps: staff will prepare the grant agreement and confirm the scope of eligible expenses; the organizer said local businesses would receive complimentary booth space and that the group would work to include downtown merchants.
