Northern Lights Festival Numbers Coming In

Friday, January 11, 2008 01:07 PM

Prince George, B.C. - The Northern Lights Festival has wrapped up its innaugural year, and organizer Joel Koette says it drew 23,220 visitors and earned $58 thousand dollars.

The dollars raised through the entrance fee will be used to pay for costs associated with the 2007 festival. Although it was hoped there would be some excess revenue to apply to next year, that doesn't seem to be the case.

The festival cost $347 thousand dollars. Of that amount, $65 thousand came from Initiatives Prince George, and $105 thousand came from a tourism grant obtained by the City of Prince George. Some of the balance ($177 thousand) will be covered by the revenue generated through the entrance fee and sponsorship donations. The final tally will be available some time next week.

Koette says the festival greeted guests from as far away as Edmonton and as close to home as Quesnel and Fort St. James. Festival security also indicated that the majority of visitors to Connaught Hill, voiced their support of the event and enjoyed their experience.

The goal of the festival was intended to encourage increased retail activity in the downtown core, foster a welcomed sense of community spirit, develop the growth of other tourist activities in the area and encourage future investment in Prince George.

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Posted on Friday, January 11, 2008 01:07 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Old Hippy on January 11 2008 7:45 PM

That was an expensive Christmas display for the city of Prince George taxpayers. Just imagine, someone from Edmonton actually came to see it. Amazing. I guess that will justify a rerun next year. I know of people coming all the way from Vanderhoof and Woodpecker to tour Candy Cane Lane, for free yet, and it was a better show. In keeping with the justification of events, I would suggest that Candy Cane lane generated untold manhours (days) of work for the residents, albiet free labour. I know the answer but perhaps the city can commission a study to see which site is more cost effective for taxpayers. Festival of Christmas Tress or Candy Cane Lane. Peace.

Posted by: Palopu on January 11 2008 8:14 PM

I can see people paying to see this display once, but not twice, and I therefore predict less people next year, and therefore a biggar loss. Not likely to survive 5 years

Posted by: Runner46 on January 11 2008 11:19 PM

Like the air show???

Posted by: econ101 on January 13 2008 8:20 AM

I live in the area, I support the Friendship Lodge proposal, but never received any notification on this waste of my money and loss of use of a park I like to use when others are locked out.

I still do not see how the hell this is going to increase economic development in the downtown. I will personally scold Offet for this waste of money. Trust me I will!