Powell River’s annual Sea Fair will be postponed until 2017, festival organizers announced Friday, February 12.
“We didn’t make this decision easily,” stated Eddie Romagnoli, vice-president of Powell River Sea Fair Society, in a media release. “There was a lot of discussion.”
The society board apologized for the postponement in the release. Romagnoli stated that ultimately the board was not convinced it would be able to organize a festival this year, given the society’s poor financial situation.
The cost for the two-day festival is $40,000 to $50,000, with more than $10,000 for fireworks alone. Organizers had previously stated the society was having financial issues.
Romagnoli added in the release that Sea Fair is facing strong event competition with so many festivals being planned for around the same time.
“We’re all competing for the same sponsors, vendors, volunteers and crowds. We are stretching ourselves too thin,” stated Romagnoli. “We apologize to all the businesses, entertainers and vendors who benefit from Sea Fair, but we especially apologize to the kids who will miss out.”
Despite the decision, the society board agreed to go ahead with its annual parade this summer. The parade is planned for Saturday, July 23, and will proceed along its usual route from Joyce Avenue, down Alberni Street and along Marine Avenue.
The decision to postpone the festival comes as the society’s board faces severe operational and financial challenges.
Last fall, organizers learned that it would lose its midway attraction. Langley-based Westcoast Amusements announced that with the death of the company’s president it would be ceasing its BC operations.
Jenny Garden, Sea Fair society president, stated the news of losing the midway brought not only an operational challenge, but also a financial sting because the midway operated on a profit-sharing model.
“It was common to see $7,000 in revenue come directly from wristband sales and we have come to depend on that income in the event budget,” stated Garden. “If Sea Fair is to continue we need to find a way to make up for this loss.”
According to the statement, the board is hoping City of Powell River will increase its funding for the event in the future. Currently, the city provides more than $10,000 toward the event’s operating budget in cash and in-kind donations. Two previous requests for increases have been denied, according to the statement.
“The city is being asked for money all the time from events,” stated Garden, “but this is Sea Fair, the longest running free family event in Powell River. It deserves more support.”
City of Powell River councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said the Sea Fair society has not applied for city funding for the 2016 fair.
“It’s unfair for anyone to suggest that the city is not supportive of the event, nor that we don’t give enough funding if they haven’t applied for any,” said Leishman.
She noted a “general lack of communication between the Sea Fair organizing committee and the city.”
“If the Sea Fair committee needs more help putting on the event at Willingdon Beach, and they feel that the city should be taking a larger role, then we need to have that conversation; and not on Facebook or in coffee shops, but committee to committee in an official manner,” said Leishman.
Leishman added the city’s finance committee would be happy to hear from the Sea Fair society about its financial issues, though she acknowledged that other challenges such as insufficient volunteers and scheduling are beyond the city’s control.
The statement from the Sea Fair society confirmed it had not yet asked the city for financial help, but it plans to, and will invite a council representative to sit on the festival’s organizing committee.
The statement also noted a community-fundraising campaign is in the works.
