HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 01 - Grapefest ProposalMEMO TO:
FROM:
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT:
RECCOMENDATION
(v (S ITEM a
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGER )w
NOVEMBER 19, 2002
WORKSHOP - GRAPEFEST PROPOSAL
City Council consider a resolution extending GrapeFest hours to 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday on a permanent basis. Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City Council granted a one-time trial expansion last year for GrapeFest 2002. The
additional 19 hours added to the festival increased the total festival hours to 46 over the
four-day period.
The expansion of hours on a permanent basis will make the festival more successful in
many way. A four day festival:
• increases attendance and makes the festival more attractive to sponsors and
advertisers,
• allows us to increase attendance without addinq to street congestion,
• increases the opportunity for tour packaging and hotel room nights,
• expands opportunities for service and civic group fundraising,
• provides additional exposure from foot traffic for vendors and historic district
merchants and enables more options for cross marketing; and
• increases opportunity for imaging and national media coverage.
These benefits are realized through minimal increases in costs. Addditionally, the four
day expansion represents more cost effective use of the temporary festival
infrastructure. The expansion also increases fundraising opportunities for the Palace
Arts Center debt retirement. On a local level, Grapevine residents perceived the
Thursday opportunity as a time set aside especially for them to enjoy the festival without
the weekend crowds.
November 13, 2002 (4:54PM)
Proposed Hours of Operation
Free admission
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Paid admission
Friday: 5:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The recommendation for expansion of GrapeFest hours to a permanent four-day festival
and the extension of Thursday hours to 10:30 p.m. was presented at the October 17,
2002 meeting of the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and is
unanimously recommended for approval.
PWM/ek
November 13, 2002 (4:54PM)