The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Events, like downtowns, must evolve

Some downtown Springfield activities have grown, others have been canceled in recent years.

OVI checkpoint slated Friday
5:43 p.m.
Birth control mandate causing major stir
11:38 a.m.
Legal experts analyze verdict in fatal hit-skip trial
11:33 a.m.
Ohio agrees to mortgage settlement deal
9:26 a.m.
450 new jobs could come to Springfield airport
8:22 a.m.
> More headlines

By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer 11:24 PM Saturday, November 7, 2009

Downtown events often are like downtowns — some succeed and some disappear.

Holiday in the City has gone through many changes over the years, the latest brought on by the economy hurting the budget.

But the festival isn’t alone. Some events have grown in recent years, others have combined and some have been canceled.

Events promote the downtown, boost businesses and lure people there who might otherwise not come, said Maureen Fagans, Center City Association executive director.

Adapting is often needed, though, she said.

“If events don’t evolve and change with the needs of that crowd, it will run its life cycle,” Fagans said.

The Center City Criterium bike race was canceled in 2008 after three years because of low attendance.

Fagans has been contacted about reviving it. Center City hasn’t made a decision on it but is considering some program next year that takes advantage of recreation opportunities downtown.

For the criterium and all events, the time and money required must be considered.

“You have to be very strategic about how you plan these things,” she said.

The Rotary Mini Grand Prix is another downtown program that has been hit by the economy. The fundraiser was nixed earlier this year because many sponsors couldn’t afford to participate.

It won’t be coming back in 2010, Rotary President Jim Roediger said.

“Because of the economic conditions, for a company to make that kind of commitment is just not doable,” he said.

On the other hand, the Hot Rods and Harleys festival has grown steadily, said Brian Cubbage, fest organizer and partner of Mid-Ohio Harley-Davidson.

Although he hasn’t made a decision about next year’s festival due to some criticism in the Speak Up column, he said downtown is a good location.

“I’m trying to promote downtown revitalization and get people coming back downtown,” he said.

One big change in downtown events this year was the combining of the Kiwanis’ Oktoberfest and the city’s CultureFest.

Oktoberfest had been held in Veterans Park previously, but had to move to make way for planned construction in the park.

The city and Kiwanis said it worked well. But the club isn’t sure what its plans are for next year, said Jeannine Fox, Kiwanis immediate past president and festival co-chairwoman.

She liked the City Hall Plaza location and its grassy area.

“The venue was great and beautiful,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.

Share this article