Petersen: Freedom Fire financial outcome ‘was worse’

Logan Mayor Craig Petersen called Freedom Fire, the 2014 Independence Day celebration sponsored by Logan City, a “quality event.” He said Freedom Fire chair Holly Fjeldsted did a great job but he does have a concern about the economics of the event.

On <a href=”http://610kvnu.com/assets/podcaster/324/2014_07_25_324_24441_2867.mp3″ target=”_blank”>KVNU’s For the People program Wednesday</a>, Petersen said for the previous three years the city went with big name entertainment, the cost was dramatically increased and so were ticket prices. Each year the event went over budget and had to be supplemented with some RAPZ tax money.

“This year we had a completely different philosophy,” Petersen explained. “What we decided to do was go with local entertainment, drop the ticket prices and see if we could draw more people into the stadium. It actually didn’t work.

“Our financial outcome this year, and I’ll share that with the city council on the 5th of August in detail, and that will be available to everybody, but our financial outcome actually was worse.”

The mayor said the event has to be evaluated and restructured so those in charge will be looking at alternatives. But he also wanted to recognized everyone affected by the show, not just those who enter the stadium.

“There are literally thousands and thousands of people who don’t come in the stadium,” Petersen added. “It’s short-sighted to not attach value to them.”

He said the public is invited to suggest possible changes.

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