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Langley Times News Release May 7 , 2012

31 May 2012 | No Comments | posted by marketing | in Langley Canada Day News

Langley Canada Day Society Hits Financial Crunch

Appeals to the community for Support

Despite an almost $16,000.00 shortfall, Langley Canada Day organizers are vowing to keep the Langley Canada Day festival a full two days. Early in this year’s planning stages a shortfall was carried over from last year. An application to BC Gaming was made in the hopes that the shortfall could be alleviated. Due to an error in the application the society was turned down for funding.

In addition the overall grants for this year were lowered and community sponsors haven’t stepped up with cash. The event is highly supported by ‘in-kind’ sponsorship and organizers are grateful for this but to pay fees for field entertainment, hire rides and games and pay for the onstage entertainment this type of assistance doesn’t help.

Organizers have known about the shortfall but it is the loss of a $10,000. BC Gaming grant that may be the final straw to shorten the first day or eliminate it altogether. “Last year the festival fell short by $15,387.92 and we had hoped to make it up this year. But unless we get some significant sponsorship, it won’t happen and acts will have to be dropped. We will have to make cuts as and we aren’t ruling out eliminating one day of one of the only two day Canada Day events in Western Canada,” said Volunteer Board chair Travis Strain.

Sponsors are being sought and the call is out for any amount of financial support. Organizers hope that some businesses will issue a challenge to outdo each other in donations. Two local businesses have already stepped up and are challenging other small businesses to do the same. “Many people don’t realize that this is how the festival is supported. Langley Canada Day is not kept alive by government money but by support from local businesses in the form of both financial and in-kind donations,” added Strain.

“Because Canada Day falls on a weekend, it has ramped up the costs.”, said Matthew Fearn, a local accountant who is the society’s volunteer treasurer. Ordinary citizens are being called upon to help out as well. “The public is able to assist by giving a cash donation. Our Society is able to issue tax receipts due to having a Revenue Canada Charitable Number, so there is a benefit to donating.’ continued Fearn.

Organizers want to clear up a misconception as well. It is assumed that the festival is run by government or paid staff. “This is completely untrue”, said Lilianne Fuller, Media Director for the event. “The entire board is made up of volunteers and there is no compensation of any sort for the hours that goes into planning, organizing and executing a festival of this magnitude,” she said. “Over 50 thousand people attended last year,” She continued. “We’d hate to see the event reduced.”

For more information on how you can help, contact President Travis Strain or Vice President Cheryl Tallman at 604-522-6232