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Jacksonville Festival of Lights asks South Jacksonville for $2,500 sponsorship
Summary
Organizers of the Jacksonville Festival of Lights requested a $2,500 tourism sponsorship (or $5,000 to be a major sponsor) after reporting last year's display drew more than 5,000 cars and about 20,000 people; trustees expressed mixed views and will place the request on the next meeting's agenda.
Organizers of the Jacksonville Festival of Lights asked the Village of South Jacksonville for a $2,500 tourism sponsorship at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Oct. 17.
"The project was $100,000 project and they fell a little short, but the gate made up for the difference," Sarah Shellhammer, who spoke for the festival, said as she summarized last year's outcomes and the group's finances. Shellhammer told trustees the event drew more than 5,000 cars and roughly 20,000 people, and that admission is $10 per car for up to eight people. The planned run is Nov. 29 through Dec. 29, 2024.
Shellhammer said the festival began this year's planning with $27,000 on hand and sought a $2,500 sponsorship from South Jacksonville; organizers offered a $5,000 level for a major sponsorship with additional recognition in event materials. She said sponsors would have ornaments with logos in the event booklet and that the group plans to again collect items for Garrison School and explore discounted or free passes for families who cannot afford admission.
Trustees signaled differing views: Trustee J.W. Coleman later asked that a $2,500 sponsorship be placed on the next meeting agenda and said he did not want to commit more than that, while Trustee Steve Retzer said he questioned whether the event directly benefits the village. Clerk/Treasurer Mindy Olson said she would add the item to the next meeting's agenda for formal action.
