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Strike up the bands
By JULIANNE WU, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Expenses are up, contributions are down, but organizers of the 82nd Annual St. Petersburg Festival of States expect this year's event to measure up to previous efforts. The festival begins Friday and runs through April 13. "The mission of the Suncoasters (volunteers who stage the 10-day event) and the festival is to showcase the city of St. Petersburg and the talents of Pinellas County students and residents," said Sandy Lee, festival spokeswoman. But with more security concerns, especially since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and a downturn in the economy, festival organizers have had to scramble for the necessary funds. Executive director Lane Hosmer said expenses, $400,000, are approximately the same as last year, but contributions are a little short. For instance, last year, the city of St. Petersburg gave the festival $75,000. But this year it gave only $67,500, representing a 10 percent cut. Also, in the past, the 270-plus member Suncoasters brought in about $100,000, while this year, they have $90,000. Although corporate sponsorships brought in $163,000 this year, the same as last year, "we lost about $40,000," said Lee. "It was a challenge to meet the quota." Hosmer, who is in his third year with the organization, said, "No one (corporate sponsors) dropped out because they didn't want to be in it." Andy Houston, internal services administrator for St. Petersburg, said the 10 percent cut in funding was aimed not just at the festival, "but was an across-the board cut" for all the non-departmental agencies. "The city was looking at a budget shortfall in the $6-million to $8-million range last year at this time," said Houston. "All the agencies were asked to cut back about 10 percent." Houston said rising property insurance costs, pension costs and health insurance for the city went up about $6-million "above what we had anticipated." On the other hand, the Festival of States has seen rising costs, too, said Hosmer. "The event insurance has gone up about $10,000 since 9/11 and we now have to pay $24,000, particularly for added security." As far as Houston knows, the city will still be helping to fund the festival next year. "It's up to the City Council because they make the decision each year, but I have not heard that the festival will not be funded. "We are not asking the agencies (including the Festival of States) to cut their request by another 10 percent, but it is not our expectation they will ask for any more than they received this year." He said the city, which is now in budget talks for next year, still expects a shortfall of about $4-million to $5-million. As in past years, Lee said, the Festival of States gets extra revenues from the coronation ball and field show (about $100,000) and about $200,000 from in-kind contributions such as police and sanitation services and donations from local businesses such as photography, hospitality, advertising, vehicle usage and venue rental. This year's festival, which has the patriotic theme of "Stand Up America," is officially part of the Centennial/Tricentennial event marking the 100th birthday of the incorporation of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, Russia. There will be a special birthday ceremony at 3 p.m. April 12 in Vinoy Park after the Republic Bank (formerly the TradeWinds Resort) parade in downtown St. Petersburg. Mayor Rick Baker and other local dignitaries will be giving out cake to attendees and the Awesome Original Second-Time Arounders band will perform Happy Birthday. Another Russian touch will be provided by the Samoyed Fanciers of Central Florida, who will be at the FunFest in the park after the parade. The organization protects and preserves one of the oldest breeds of dog, whose origin goes back about 5,000 years in the Russian peninsula just east of St. Petersburg, Russia. One major change in the April 12 parade is the time. Instead of being held in the morning, as it always has been, it will be at 1 p.m. "It's a family parade," said Hosmer, "and we know people have things in the morning with their kids, such as dance lessons and soccer games." Hosmer hopes the later hour will also encourage people to stay longer in Vinoy Park for the birthday festivities and the musical entertainment, Kansas, in the evening.
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