Carefree Truth
Issue #704, November 30, 2018
During the November 13th Council meeting, Vice Mayor Crane thanked all those who came out for the 10th Carefree Veteran's Day celebration. It was pointed out to him earlier in the day that he is not only a veteran, he's a veteran of Veteran's Day, having run the Carefree event during his 6 years on the Council. The Vice Mayor felt this year's was one of the best. A lot of volunteers and local organizations helped, among them the Veteran's Heritage Project, the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, Daughter's of the American Revolution, and Rock the District. He hoped lots of people would come out again for the 11th Carefree Veteran's Day celebration on November 11th, 2019.
https://vimeo.com/302190728
During Call to the Public, Arthur Gimson, a former Councilman and organizer of the Veteran's Day event while on the Council, said he had 3 points. 1. The Town should make the public aware of how much work is done by the Council members. Mr. Gimson read through the packet for that night's meeting on the Carefree website. It was 371 pages long. 2. He felt that a debt of gratitude was owned to the Town, and especially to Vice Mayor John Crane, for the spectacular Veteran's Day event. It was great, and he appreciated it. Mayor Les Peterson commented that Mr. Gimson gave a superb speech at the Veteran's Day event. 3. Mr. Gimson requested that an update on the progress of the water situation be addressed at the December Council meeting if the consultant is on time with the end of year report.
https://vimeo.com/302189166
Mayor Peterson noted that the Carefree Enchanted Garden , Carefree's biggest event, has become renowned in the Valley, in the state, and considerably beyond. Marketing Director Beth Renfro gave a brief overview of the Pumpkin Festival, saying there were no financials available yet. Attendance was estimated at 100,000, a 66% increase over last year's festival. Ray Villafane and the carvers from Villafane Studios did a wonderful job.
There were several new features this year. The logistics were provided by Center Point Events management company. The event footprint was expanded to include Historic Spanish Village, where the Haunted Happenings were located. The Harvest Market went down Ho Hum Road and included parts of Ho and Hum Roads.
Expanded revenue opportunities included co-oping the liquor license with the Sonoran Arts League (SAL), and wristband admission was charged to the Haunted Happenings area. There were several bounce houses, pony rides and a petting zoo. The Arizona Liquor Control Board surprised them twice with audits; both times they passed with 100% compliance. Ms. Renfro thanked SAL for helping to maintain the security and safety of the Beer Garden. Cost recovery items included the Beer Garden, wristband and merchandise sales, and vendor space rentals.
There was a marked increase in the Town's social media presence, with both paid and organic reach increases. Most of those who interacted on social media responded with accolades. Many businesses in Spanish Village and along Easy Street informally reported record sales during the 2 weekends of the festival. There was very little increase in print ads. One email blast was done to the Phoenix New Times, and ads ran on the 2 Valley NPR stations. The most success was achieved through social media. Ms. Renfro appreciated the support of the community. There were 19 sponsors, a mix of in-kind and monetary.
Some areas for improvement next year have been identified. Parking is the biggest touchstone. Off-site parking with shuttle services is being considered. It was felt that additional directional signage is required, as is better No Parking signage for businesses with dedicated parking spaces. There will be adjustments in pricing, and sponsorships will start to be sought in April. Ms. Renfro said she would have a full report ready for the January Council meeting.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer congratulated Ms. Renfro for being a recent hire and jumping right in to make the event an amazing success. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio remarked that he and his family came up to Carefree for the first pumpkin festival in 2015. They moved here 6 months after that. The difference between the first festival and this one was night and day. This is Carefree's signature event. Walking around, he saw all the people, young and old, and all the smiles. It was a wonderful family event. Some of the vendors made a lot of money. He encouraged the local business owners to come up with Halloween themes, and to set up tables in front of their businesses to attract customers. He thanked the Mayor and those Council members who put in countless hours volunteering, particularly Cheryl Kroyer. He and his daughter Sophie also spent some time in the Carefree booth.
Councilman Mike Krahe said they have talked a lot about investing to bring people up here and it's sometimes been an uphill battle. But they made the investment and that investment is paying off. He was confident that the report in January will show that the cost recovery model is continuing to bring money back. As Vince mentioned, it brings thousands of people to our businesses. That's what signature events are about. His hat was off to Cheryl and Beth, and he looks forward to seeing what they will do next year.
Mayor Peterson added that they have taken criticism over time for the expenses outlaid, but people also need to look at income to arrive at a bottom line. They are working on the cost recovery model and are making great progress.
https://vimeo.com/302341964
Mayor Peterson asked if Ms. Renfro was ready to discuss utilizing Center Point for the Christmas Festival, but she was not yet prepared to present that subject.
https://vimeo.com/302360964
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #704, November 30, 2018
During the November 13th Council meeting, Vice Mayor Crane thanked all those who came out for the 10th Carefree Veteran's Day celebration. It was pointed out to him earlier in the day that he is not only a veteran, he's a veteran of Veteran's Day, having run the Carefree event during his 6 years on the Council. The Vice Mayor felt this year's was one of the best. A lot of volunteers and local organizations helped, among them the Veteran's Heritage Project, the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, Daughter's of the American Revolution, and Rock the District. He hoped lots of people would come out again for the 11th Carefree Veteran's Day celebration on November 11th, 2019.
https://vimeo.com/302190728
During Call to the Public, Arthur Gimson, a former Councilman and organizer of the Veteran's Day event while on the Council, said he had 3 points. 1. The Town should make the public aware of how much work is done by the Council members. Mr. Gimson read through the packet for that night's meeting on the Carefree website. It was 371 pages long. 2. He felt that a debt of gratitude was owned to the Town, and especially to Vice Mayor John Crane, for the spectacular Veteran's Day event. It was great, and he appreciated it. Mayor Les Peterson commented that Mr. Gimson gave a superb speech at the Veteran's Day event. 3. Mr. Gimson requested that an update on the progress of the water situation be addressed at the December Council meeting if the consultant is on time with the end of year report.
https://vimeo.com/302189166
Mayor Peterson noted that the Carefree Enchanted Garden , Carefree's biggest event, has become renowned in the Valley, in the state, and considerably beyond. Marketing Director Beth Renfro gave a brief overview of the Pumpkin Festival, saying there were no financials available yet. Attendance was estimated at 100,000, a 66% increase over last year's festival. Ray Villafane and the carvers from Villafane Studios did a wonderful job.
There were several new features this year. The logistics were provided by Center Point Events management company. The event footprint was expanded to include Historic Spanish Village, where the Haunted Happenings were located. The Harvest Market went down Ho Hum Road and included parts of Ho and Hum Roads.
Expanded revenue opportunities included co-oping the liquor license with the Sonoran Arts League (SAL), and wristband admission was charged to the Haunted Happenings area. There were several bounce houses, pony rides and a petting zoo. The Arizona Liquor Control Board surprised them twice with audits; both times they passed with 100% compliance. Ms. Renfro thanked SAL for helping to maintain the security and safety of the Beer Garden. Cost recovery items included the Beer Garden, wristband and merchandise sales, and vendor space rentals.
There was a marked increase in the Town's social media presence, with both paid and organic reach increases. Most of those who interacted on social media responded with accolades. Many businesses in Spanish Village and along Easy Street informally reported record sales during the 2 weekends of the festival. There was very little increase in print ads. One email blast was done to the Phoenix New Times, and ads ran on the 2 Valley NPR stations. The most success was achieved through social media. Ms. Renfro appreciated the support of the community. There were 19 sponsors, a mix of in-kind and monetary.
Some areas for improvement next year have been identified. Parking is the biggest touchstone. Off-site parking with shuttle services is being considered. It was felt that additional directional signage is required, as is better No Parking signage for businesses with dedicated parking spaces. There will be adjustments in pricing, and sponsorships will start to be sought in April. Ms. Renfro said she would have a full report ready for the January Council meeting.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer congratulated Ms. Renfro for being a recent hire and jumping right in to make the event an amazing success. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio remarked that he and his family came up to Carefree for the first pumpkin festival in 2015. They moved here 6 months after that. The difference between the first festival and this one was night and day. This is Carefree's signature event. Walking around, he saw all the people, young and old, and all the smiles. It was a wonderful family event. Some of the vendors made a lot of money. He encouraged the local business owners to come up with Halloween themes, and to set up tables in front of their businesses to attract customers. He thanked the Mayor and those Council members who put in countless hours volunteering, particularly Cheryl Kroyer. He and his daughter Sophie also spent some time in the Carefree booth.
Councilman Mike Krahe said they have talked a lot about investing to bring people up here and it's sometimes been an uphill battle. But they made the investment and that investment is paying off. He was confident that the report in January will show that the cost recovery model is continuing to bring money back. As Vince mentioned, it brings thousands of people to our businesses. That's what signature events are about. His hat was off to Cheryl and Beth, and he looks forward to seeing what they will do next year.
Mayor Peterson added that they have taken criticism over time for the expenses outlaid, but people also need to look at income to arrive at a bottom line. They are working on the cost recovery model and are making great progress.
https://vimeo.com/302341964
Mayor Peterson asked if Ms. Renfro was ready to discuss utilizing Center Point for the Christmas Festival, but she was not yet prepared to present that subject.
https://vimeo.com/302360964
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.