Below is a copy of our letter
submitted to the Observer
It is with heavy hearts that after almost two decades, the Committee of the Founders Days of Deerfield Beach, Inc. announces it will not be coordinating the annual Founders Days Festival. This year will be the 66th year of the Founders Days Festival. Each volunteer member of our Committee has no less than ten years of dedicated service. Many on our Committee have more than twenty years of dedication to the Festival.
More importantly, each year our 501©3 non-profit organization was able to donate a portion of our proceeds back to the community through a myriad of worthy organizations and causes. As a group, we truly felt that our hard work and perseverance, not only during the four days of the festival, but throughout the whole year accomplished an important purpose, that being to create an event open to all and enjoyed by all ages, where neighbors and visitors alike could come out to a beautiful
atmosphere and celebrate our City. From the fireworks to the parade to the entertainment and more we accomplished that purpose each year.
The cost to put on the Festival exceeds $100,000 with approximately $40,000 of that paying for the cost of City services, police and fire rescue. During better economic times, as with other festivals, we received support from the City as an in kind donation. We have had a few beautiful years in a row without this financial support, yet our revenues have closely equaled our expenses. In the past we have also had many weekends of forty degree weather, rain and storms that significantly decreased attendance. After our meetings with the City in October of 2012 it was decided that it would not be financially feasible for us to continue coordinating the festival.
Luckily, the City of Deerfield Beach has decided to continue the tradition of the Founders Days Festival as a City event, which will once again be held in February on President’s Day weekend. We wish them all the best on a successful festival.
The Committee wishes to thank all of the many volunteers, businesses, organizations, vendors, schools and attendees who supported our Festival throughout the years. We will truly miss being a part of the annual Founders Days Festival. And we will see all in February.
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