During the Tuesday, August 14 meeting of the Bourbon Town Council, members heard some details of the annual Summerfest activities. Lonnie Berkey headed up the Summerfest this year and said he had 30 volunteers working during the event that allowed several local groups to raise funds.
According to Berkey, there were 190 cars in the show and the profits from the entries allowed every food bank in Bourbon to receive $85. Additionally, a tractor show that was organized in only two weeks attracted 93 tractors. Berkley expressed his vision to continue with the event and asked to reserves the park pavilion for the second week in August next year.
Berkley said there has been some discussion as to whether the school’s practice football field can be used for set-up in the future since new rulings affecting how the grounds need to be watered could make it unsuitable.
Board members shared their appreciation for the clean-up efforts following the event and for the fire departments help in holding fireworks displays.
Berkley indicated that the monies taken in did not fully cover expenses. He said, “It cost me $500-$600 out of my pocket.” As an example, he said the hot air balloons cost $375 each for the three times they were displayed plus an extra $100 for extra for transportation. He also listed a number of other expenses totaling some $2,955.
According to Berkley, comments posted on Facebook have been negative and directed towards a mixup in the beauty pageant. He said this year’s organizer of the pageant spent $900 of her own money to hold that part of the Summerfest activities.
Following Berkey’s comments, the board voted unanimously to pay $300 for the 2019 event.\
Carol Anders Correspondent
