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Holiday in the City trims costs

Officials say reductions won’t be noticed

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By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer Updated 7:50 AM Monday, November 9, 2009

Even Santa has had to tighten his belt.

Holiday in the City, the downtown festival that attracts thousands of people every holiday season, has a reduced budget this year. But the event shouldn’t be significantly reduced, Executive Director Maureen Fagans said.

“It’s a fun tradition that people have come to love, and I expect that they are going to have that same experience as in years past,” she said.

Holiday in the City is set for 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 28. The Center City Association has taken over managing the event this year.

“We had a lot of concern that if somebody didn’t step up, it may not happen this year,” she said.

Last year, the festival cost about $80,000 to put on, and it has run as high as $100,000 in previous years.

But in the current economy, some sponsors had to back out or reduce their financial support, Fagans said. This year’s budget is at $55,000, and more than 90 percent of it has been raised. Donors are still needed, and collection boxes will go out at banks around town soon.

One major sponsor, the Turner Foundation, trimmed its funding to $15,000 this year. Neither Fagans nor Turner Executive Director John Landess could say how much of a cut that represents.

The economy has affected the foundation’s ability to give more this year, Landess said, but he doesn’t believe people will notice much difference.

“The changes will be insignificant by and large,” he said.

Fagans agreed. The fireworks, Santa Land, the core block building lights and the Christmas Village in the Meeks building will return.

Santa will still make a big surprise arrival, but a parade won’t be included.

Some of the ancillary activities will look different, she said, and some items such as carriage rides and costumed characters depend on the remaining fundraising and volunteers. To donate or volunteer, call (937) 327-7312.

Center City wants to include more people in the fundraising and organization. That increases community ownership, Fagans said, and prevents it from relying so heavily on a few large donors.

“This is an opportunity for us to rally together and get something done,” she said.

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