I apoligze for all the typos in my comments!! LOL That's what I get for trying to multi task while I type and think!! LOL

Revenues would come from sales of food, drink, raffles, etc. They should all be well documented, etc. IF any of the revenue goes to the OddFellows then as a non profit, they must show that (I guess I'm assuming they are a non profit, but even if they aren't for tac purposes and financials every penny most be accounted for) The community with which I work with has other non profits come in and sell food, run events, etc. Every non profit pays a fee or a percentage of what they make to the overall organization coordinating the event. It's a win win for everyone and helps everyone in the fundraising effots.
Don't be so sure that company's will give you something for free because they get advertising. It doesn't always work that way~~but you can usually find someone who will donate a portion or work with you on a price etc. It is a lot of leg work and I know the community I've worked with for the 4th starts July 5th for the next year. It's a big undertaking, but once you find the right formula on making it work, it's fairly 'easy' to get things done. There are always snags here and there, but once you've found the success equation you know what needs to be done. OddFellows don't need to reinvent the wheel here~~they need to contact some people in the same position as them and take from them the things that work and form that to their event. Fundraising and event planning are done all the time and there are many many resources to utilize to help you be successful. In my opinion, they are making this much harder than it has to be. And AGAIN, I applaud any effort they've made!!!! It takes a lot to step up and take on what they did. If anyone from OddFellows reads this and wants some direction, I'd be more than happy to put them in touch with the people I know that can help them!

I think that more leg work would help keep the costs down. Surely a sign or tent company would donate the use of it with a large sponsor sign.

And the city absolutely should waive the fees. I can't fathom why they didn't request them to be waived.

And normally any revenue would be generated by the food and drink sales so depending on what they offered at what price and by whom it's hard to say on a profit.

I hope they find new options and things that will work for them. Most other organizations are more than happy to give tips and suggestions. I hope they utilize that.

I just talked to a city council member and councilman Truman had asked Odd Fellows if they wanted to request that the permit fees be waived and they replied no, they had it taken care of. If they knew that the past years have lost money, why would they not request the permit fees to be waived. The reservation fee for the Sports Complex, I found out, goes to the Youth sports complex not the city. If the event is moved back to a city owned property, hopefully, the reservation fee can be waived as well. I think more thought needs to go into the planning of the event.

As I look over the list of expenses, I see alot of permit fees and a reservation fee for the Sports Complex. Are these fees that are paid to the City of Janesville? If so, could the city waive these fees so that the celebration could still happen every year. I don't believe our tax dollars should pay for the entire event but the city should not charge for the permits and use of the complex.

BTW~~there are is no revenue to report for this event? I admit it's been years since I've been to Janesville's event (I've always been workiing the event in the community I'm invovled in) so I'm familiar with what the event always has. But, there is nothing bringing in revenue? I see a raffle license as an expense~~what of the revenue that brought in?
I'm not speaking badly of anyone, just from years of experience. It seems whoever does Janesville's event really needs to revamp what it being done!!

exFIB~~are there any communities where the city pays for the fireworks, etc? None that I know of, but maybe there are some out there I don't know about.
After working on a local 4th of July committee for years, I think the OddFellows really need to meet with some other communities to learn how their events are managed and run. I know the community where I served, most groups made a profit!! The committee invited other non profit groups in to help run different areas and it was great fundraiser for those groups, as well as taking burden off of just one organization to run the event. Asking businesses for $$ is great, but you'll find the community will be a lot more invested in attending the event if the community members have something to do with the planning and running of the event.

I was disappointed that the city felt there was lack of public support for the 4th of July celebrations in Janesville. When you move an event that has been held for years in the middle of town (centrally located) to the east side of town you are going to automatically lose in attendance. Many people can walk to Traxler Park. They can't walk to the Youth complex. Lack of transportation for some was a big issue. Also remember that Freedom Fest was held a week earlier and for some families that was their 4th of July. Still I think if the celebration was moved back to Traxler Park it wouldn't be so exclusive.

Well, I keep saying I appreciate the show, but I run out of enthusiasm for fireworks after the 17th starburst with a ring or so. A 40-minute show would be just as satisfying and only cost 2/3 as much.
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exFIB, it has been that way for years, maybe decades.

I like their ideas for next year, I for one am hoping to have it back at Traxler. Thankyou Odd Fellows for taking over this event!

It's bad enough the city is too cheap to budget to pay for it themselves, but to charge for permits for those who do try and help out? Outrageous......

Some mentioned if most people in the city would give just a dollar to the fireworks. That could be close to $60,000 if you include what the sign say's coming into the city. Think that would cover things rather well.

They had a band?

I love eye candy as much as the next person, but..."Fireworks $20,000"...for how many minutes of enjoyment...20 or 30 max? That's $666+ to $1000 per minute. That's some pretty expensive entertainment, especially in this economy. Yes, it's great to celebrate our country's birthday, but perhaps the time has come to evaluate how we go about doing that. Plus, there is the negative effect that fireworks have on the environment. They are made with several toxic chemicals/metals that drift in the air and pollute the water, not to mention the sound pollution. It just doesn't seem right and makes me feel that it's past time that we come up with a better way to not only celebrate, but put that kind of money to a beneficial use.