Royal Oak — Organizers of the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats festival announced today the event raised a record $351,213.
More than 90 charitable and cultural organizations will benefit from the money raised at the four-day festival over Labor Day weekend, which was held in downtown Royal Oak for the first time this year after more than a decade in Pontiac.
Money came from gate admission, beverage proceeds, a charity art preview, parking fees and sponsorships, officials said.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said the festival provided a considerable boost to the region’s economy.
Oakland County officials have estimated the economic impact of the festival to be $39 million, with the average Ford Arts, Beats & Eats visitor spending $94.30.
“Not only was it a boost for Royal Oak restaurants and businesses, it will continue to pay off in the future after some attendees rediscovered how great an entertainment destination Royal Oak is,” Patterson said.
Attendance was strong at 423,000, which organizers said was up from last year.
Jon Witz, event producer, said things went smoothly.
“The new venue was amazing; it attracted many new festivalgoers, and they really enjoyed the festival,” he said. “The area was really alive, and you could feel the excitement in the air. Royal Oak and Ford Arts, Beats & Eats were meant for each other.”
The cost of the festival to the city was covered by ABE parking revenues, officials said. The city is also reimbursing its Downtown Development Authority for its $100,000 contribution through event parking revenues.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101007/ENT05/10070441/1422/ENT05/Ford-Arts--Beats--Eats-raises-record-$351-213-for-charities#ixzz11iWq8iTS
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