Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Block Party Sponsorship Funding On Pace
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Sponsorship funding for Mt. Prospect's 10th Annual Midsummer Downtown Block Party and Extreme Business Expo will be just as good if not better than last year's totals, according to Dawn Fletcher Collins, Block Party committee chairperson.
"We usually collect $15,000-$20,000 in sponsorship money by the time the event is over," said Collins. "We do not make a profit, only from beer sales."
Collins said between $4,000-$7,000 is raised each year in beer sales.
Concerns arose earlier this spring that the event would not occur since Blues Bar owner Errol Oztekin, the party's largest sponsor the last couple years, decided to put his money into this year's Blues Fest.
"Usually we have $250, $300, and $500 sponsorships, but we have actually had a few chamber businesses come through with $1,000 donations," emphasized Collins.
The annual one-day event in downtown Mt. Prospect, at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 kicking off at 4 p.m. and running until about 10:30 p.m.
"We extended the time because we have extra bands," said Collins. "We always had one but now we will probably have three. The last five years or so we always extended the band time by a half-hour. This allows for people to enjoy the festivities longer."
In addition to expanding entertainment and food hours, childrens rides are also being extended by an hour, concluding at 9 p.m. this year.
Collins said most of the details have been worked out for this year's event. The entertainment has been solidified with the bands, Three Car Garage and Instant Karma performing so far, and eight local restaurants signing up to be part of the festival.
Children's activities have also been worked out, which include face painting, ponies, an inflatable slide moonwalk, a climbing wall, clown, and more.
Also, 40 businesses have been signed to participate in the business expo.
"We expect a few more before the event," said Collins. "That number is about the same as last year. The extra sponsorships this year has proven to be just fine."
Collins said between now and the July 25 event, the committee will wrap up the volunteer time and tabulate last minute sponsorships.
Since this is the 10th annual event, Collins said there will be something special happening this year, but would not say what it is.
"We have a little something under wraps for an extra celebration," laughed Collins.
Emerson and Busse is expected to be closed beginning at 11 a.m. July 25 and re-opened around 11:30 p.m. or midnight that evening.
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