Last year”s Legends Concert in Columbus, featuring Percy Sledge and Bobby “Blue” Bland, drew thousands of people, 28 percent of whom came from 100 miles or more away.
This year, organizers promised to grow on the success with notable bands Three Dog Night and The Temptations. But first, they need to secure the bands.
Several community members serving on a committee to organize the second-annual event appeared before the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau on Thursday to request $35,000 to support the event, $31,000 of which would be used as a deposit to secure the performers.
“There is a bit of urgency on our part,” said committee member Steve Rogers, adding they didn”t go before the board in May because it was not “fully constituted.”
While seemingly impressed by a video presentation featuring nostalgic community members and music by Three Dog Night and The Temptations, the CVB board declined, by a vote of 5-3, to approve the funding at its Thursday meeting.
Board member Mark Castleberry was concerned about making a funding decision immediately after a presentation. Traditionally, the board takes requests and then makes a decision by its next board meeting.
The matter is expected to be on the July agenda for reconsideration.
“We quite possibly could lose one of these bands if we have to wait that long,” Rogers said, also noting the event was unique because it was initiated by the CVB.
”This is y”all”s event,” he said.
“If the board would just go back … look at your festivals, as far as the things that come under special events. This is probably the only one where you get something in return; whereas, you did receive something in return as far as a monetary standpoint,” said Mayor Robert Smith.
Last year, the CVB managed ticket and other sales for the event, and the profits went back to the agency.
CVB board member Whirllie Byrd said the concert was a good investment and made the motion to fund the event. Byrd, Bernard Buckhalter and DeWitt Hicks voted for funding the festival, while Castleberry, Nadia Dale, George Swales and Bart Wise voted against.
Board members clarified they were not against funding the event; they were against making a decision on Thursday night, especially since the CVB had only about $15,000 available at the time.
“In reality, we have less than one-half of what is being requested in the treasury,” Swales remarked.
The CVB has monthly expenditures of about $75,000 each month, leaving it with about $30,000 to $35,000. Its grant program provides $100,000 per year to local festivals. It also has a special projects budget of $130,000 per year.
The CVB is funded by a 2-percent hotel and restaurant tax, which brings in about $1.5 million annually.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.