GlobalFest turns to GoFundMe to make up for revenue shortfall

Soggy weather and a soft economy put a damper onGlobalFest as organizers estimatecrowds were down about 20 per cent this year.

To try to make up for lost revenue and to ensure next year's show goes ahead, a GoFundMe page has been created, aimed at raising $150,000.

"There's a reluctance to come out when the weather is inclement, even if there are clouds around the park," GlobalFest director Ken Goosen told the Calgary Eyeopener.

"This summer has been testament to fairly bad weather and as an outdoor festival, you're reliant on the sunshine, not a lot of wind, and we just didn't see that."

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Smaller crowds saw an estimatedsix-figure drop in revenue.

"We're looking six digits, I don't know how deep into six digits, I'm hoping not too deep," said Goosen.

"We're looking probably in that $100,000 level, if not more."

Bad weather forced Brazil's performance to be postponed on the opening night of this year's GlobalFest, which ran from Aug. 18 to 27 at Elliston Park.

"We lose about a third of our audience every time we do a postponement because people have their lives scheduled," said Goosen.

"Shifting from a Thursday to a Friday, Friday people are leaving for holidays or the weekend or something like that. We're also at a capacity issue at Elliston Park, so as much as we'd like to be able to be a little more flexible in our ticketing, the city of Calgary is very specific about how many people we can put in the park."

There's a lot more to the event than just the colourful explosions in the sky, said Goosen.

"GlobalFest, a lot of people think, is just the fireworks and the cultural side at Elliston Park and don't realize the Human Rights Forum or the urban arts year-round programming where we're working with kids," he said.

"So the festival itself actually helps fund a lot of other community programs."

The goal was set bymultiplying $50 by the 3,000 person capacity at Elliston Park. Everyone who makes a minimum $50 donation will receive a general admission to next year's finale show, which will have a live accompaniment.

The 2017 edition of GlobalFest is already shaping up to be a big one, said Goosen.

Along with the 150th anniversary of Canada, next year will also mark the 15th anniversary of GlobalFest, set to run Aug. 15 to 26.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener