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Council keeps Spooktacular as a two‑day event, asks staff to pursue sponsorships and residency tracking
Summary
After reviewing cost and attendance data, council voted to continue Spooktacular as a two‑day event despite the operating budget assuming one day; members asked staff to track ticket purchaser residency and increase sponsorship outreach to cover the estimated budget delta.
Staff presented the Spooktacular event roadmap and financial comparisons for one‑ and two‑day options. The report showed a higher per‑person cost for a one‑day format (estimated at roughly $8.83 per person) versus a two‑day spread ($5.30 per person) when certain fixed costs are allocated; staff also reported increased sponsorship revenue and a 30% recovery rate this year.
Staff recommended retaining the two‑day event to preserve resident access (Thursday night traditionally fills first for Dublin residents), maintain adaptive-hour programming for families and residents with sensory needs, and maximize business and sponsor engagement. Council members discussed the estimated budget delta (staff cited a ballpark figure of $8,000–$16,000 depending on assumptions), the importance of an adaptive-hour slot for children with sensory needs, the possibility of increasing sponsorship revenue (staff said inquiries were already positive), and tracking whether Friday tickets are purchased by Dublin residents.
Councilmember discussion emphasized balancing resource use with resident access; multiple members supported keeping the two‑day format, citing community value and adaptive-hour benefits. The council voted (roll call) to continue hosting Spooktacular as a two‑day event and directed staff to pursue additional sponsorships and a residency-tracking approach for ticketing in future seasons.
