Questions raised about lack of Harvest Fest proceeds

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Apr 30, 20140

A question has been raised in Farmington regarding proceeds from the 2013 Farmington Harvest Festival held last September.

Resident Max Mohan brought up the matter at the city council meeting April 21. He asked Mayor James Woomack to question the group’s mission statement since no donation has been made to the city from the event.

Woomack explained that the Harvest Festival is separate from the city and suggested he bring up his concerns with its committee members.

In 2012, the first Farmington Harvest Festival resulted in a $5,481 donation to the town for replacement of the roofs on both the town park’s gazebo and bell tower.

Last year, attendance was lower at the festival than in 2012.

“After all is said and done last year, we had about $8,000,” said Frank Triplett, Festival Committee Chairman, explaining that the committee had decided to save the proceeds to build toward a future purchase for the city – specifically an interactive splash pad.

The $8,000 includes $3,000 in seed money carried over from 2012 profits.

“I was a little blindsided by it,” said Triplett, referring to Mohan. “I think the basis of his question is where’s the donation?”

Triplett and the committee had said before the 2013 Festival that proceeds would go toward the splash pad fund. The estimated initial cost of the project is $15,000.

“The money is gonna stay there in Farmington Bank until we get enough to break ground,” Triplett said.

“Our fest in the two years we’ve had it wasn’t truly profitable,” committee member Mark Hellinger said, citing the many donations and in-kind and volunteer hours.

A 2014 Harvest Festival is in the planning stage.

“Right now we’re on schedule to do a Harvest Festival on Sept. 20,” said Triplett.

“You got a date on the calendar when everyone gets dressed up because we’ve got company coming,” Hellinger said.

Overall, Mayor Woomack said the town is a beneficiary of the Harvest Festival, while not being directly involved.

“Private individuals put on the Harvest Fest,” he said. “We give them permission to use the park and the street. The town greatly appreciates what they have done, the effort that they have put into it.”