Granville staff report July 4 raised roughly $59,500; council weighs holding 2027 events on Saturday

An events presenter reviewed the city’s July 4 celebration finances and programming and recommended scheduling the 2027 downtown celebration on Saturday, July 3, rather than Monday, July 5.

The presenter said the event raised about $59,500 this year (approximate figure) and that total spending was around $131,000 — roughly $8,000 less than the prior year. "The bald eagle was a really big hit," the presenter said, describing a popular paid demonstration that attracted steady lines. The presenter also cited sponsorships of about $45,500 and food-vendor receipts near $7,116. Staff emphasized that several items were in-kind donations and that the figures were approximate because the event spans two fiscal years.

Council members asked about vendor bookings, in-kind sponsorships and whether certain recurring pieces (for example the Buck Creek race) had been shifted to other weekends. Griffin, the city manager, said staffing and motor-pool costs dropped notably this year when a supporting race moved off the immediate holiday weekend, and that the city should expect event revenues in the $55,000–$65,000 range with expenses typically in the $130,000–$140,000 range.

On scheduling, staff recommended keeping celebrations condensed to a single weekend day; the city’s events coordinator said a Saturday celebration allows a Friday setup and reduces the chance that businesses and vendors will be unavailable. "The 1st option, July 3 ... would allow for a Friday setup, which would still put that put time in city staff work days rather than trying to be set up on Sunday and work that Monday," Chaney said. Council members generally favored that approach and directed staff to proceed with planning around the Saturday option.

The city said these cost and attendance figures are approximate and for informational purposes only; no formal budget action was taken at the meeting.