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Item Coversheet Page 2 of 3 <br /> Does the Chamber of Commerce have a position on this? <br /> Mirinda has told me in conversations that they are happy to do anything to help us-including allowing us to sell wristbands at <br /> Chamber events.Also,the Chamber Ambassadors are hosting the VIP Tent this year,and one of the key Chamber employees- <br /> Jarrod Cox-is one of my key volunteers. <br /> If the City council votes not to support the fencing,what is the alternative? <br /> Unfortunately,the model of a free festival just isn't sustainable.When I started as Producer 7 years ago the savings was depleted <br /> and we were losing money every year.We've started many new fundraising initiatives to help close that gap including the King& <br /> Queen Campaign,Haunted House,French Fried 5K,and many more...but none have put us in a sustainable financial position. <br /> Should the fence not be approved my best guess is we would limp along this year and it would be the last year of the festival. <br /> Why are you charging now after being free for so long? <br /> We have actually been charging since 2010 by selling the"Band Together"wristbands.Although the wristbands were designed to <br /> allow the public a way to financially support the festival,since we did not have an admission gate there was no way to enforce <br /> them except at the point of purchase for food and drinks.This method of enforcement led to the common mis-perception that the <br /> wristbands were only needed if you intended to buy food or drinks at the festival.However,the true intention of the"Band <br /> Together"wristbands was to offer a way for the public to financially contribute to the festival.All of our festival produced <br /> promotional materials were adjusted beginning in 2010 to exclude the phrase"free family street festival". <br /> Will everyone need to have a wristband to attend? <br /> Yes,anyone age 13 or older will be required to purchase a wristband.This can be done in advance for$5/weekend or at the gate <br /> for$8/weekend. <br /> Does someone need a wristband if I do not plan on buying any food or drinks? <br /> Yes,the"Band Together"wristbands are required for anyone age 13 or older entering the festival grounds. <br /> Do people have to pay to get in to the carnival ride area? <br /> No.The carnival will have a fenced perimeter for safety and security,but will not require the"Band Together"wristbands. <br /> However,if you want to enter the festival grounds from the carnival you will be required to have the"Band Together"wristband. <br /> Wristbands will be sold at the entrance to the festival from the carnival. <br /> Why is the carnival fenced off if it's free? <br /> For safety and security-this is our top priority. <br /> Do volunteers need to buy a wristband? <br /> Volunteers who work longer than 3 hours will be given a wristband.This is the same policy we have had since 2010. <br /> Will people be able to climb the fence? <br /> We are not concerned about this because we are working with the Decatur Police Department,Macon County Sheriff s <br /> Department and our own festival security team and are very confident that they will have things under control.Also,the fence <br /> company we are working with sets up fences like this all the time and does not have that issue. <br /> Is there a danger of the fence falling down? <br /> The fence company we are working with has all the safety protocols in place to prevent that. <br /> Does the fence send a bad message about inclusiveness at DC? <br /> We think it does the opposite.The fence sends the message the Decatur Celebration listens to the community when shown there is <br /> a concern about safety and security.Also,we have been selling"Band Together"wristbands since 2010 without having that <br /> concern. <br /> How will you determine if a child is 12 or under? <br /> We will ask the child.Kids are pretty honest. <br /> What about people who can't afford a wristband? <br /> We understand that this is a possibility;however,this is something that is required to come in to the festival.We recommend <br /> purchasing wristbands in advance to save money. <br /> Will people have to pay to attend the parade? <br /> No.Half of the parade route is on Main Street which is outside of the festival fence line.If you do not have a wristband you can <br /> still watch the parade from that area.If you do have a wristband you are welcome to come inside the festival grounds and watch on <br /> Franklin and North Streets. <br /> https://decatur.novusagenda.com/AgendaWeb/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=1216 7/14/2017 <br />