It Costs How Much to Put on the Richfield 4th of July Celebration?

Why does it cost more than $90,000 to put on the ? 

It’s the little things that most people don’t see, that is the answer to this question.

Last year the committee put Best Buy’s entire $15,000 donation into paying for the fireworks. But who pays for all the extra police officers that need to be on hand that day and night to make sure everyone is safe, and that the over 40,000 people attending leave in an orderly fashion? Who pays for the, dare I say it, toilets that are stationed all around the park? Those cardboard garbage cans that keep looking nice and clean, well those need to be paid for as well. Those lights that go on after the fireworks so we can all see to safely leave the park, those need to be rented. One thing nobody sees but is equally important is the insurance policy the committee is required to carry in the event that someone gets hurt at one of the events. So while it is wonderful that Best Buy donates all that money to purchase and shoot off the fireworks, there is a lot more that goes into that one event then most people think about.

Let’s look at the numbers, more math to do. Last year it cost $91,404 to put on the celebration. All of the items mentioned above plus the orange snow fencing used to control crowds totaled over $23,300. So that leaves roughly $68,000 in bills. It cost more than $4,200 to put on the and over $3,000 to put on the events. That brings it down to roughly $60,000. Another big expense that people don’t know about is the . While some entrants do pay to be in the parade, the committee actually pays for other acts to be in the parade. All of those really entertaining acts that so many people enjoy, such as the bands? They are paid to be in the parade for everyone to enjoy. Last year the parade cost, which includes these acts but also things like signs, float rental, etc. was just over $13,000.

If your keeping up we’re at around $47,000.

The fireworks cost over $16,000 last year and to make the buttons it cost around $5,000. The , which includes the ambassador and candidate program, costs roughly $13,000. Adding all that up leaves about $13,000 in bills.

The biggest bill we have yet to mention is entertainment. This is the band at the Street Dance, the DJ at Family Night and on the 4th of July, and the stage they play on. This bill is around $5,000. Smaller expenses like publicity, volunteer t-shirts, and setting up for the food vendors also contribute to the overall bills.  Included in this number also are things like office supplies, mailings, etc. that the committee must do.

Last year all of these bills meant the committee had just over $8,000 left over when the bills were paid. This combined with a “rainy day fund” is what was left to begin planning the 2012 celebration.

While it costs a lot of money to put on this celebration, making money is clearly not the goal. Providing a safe, fun, family celebration that brings Richfield together is the goal, and once again the amazing all volunteer committee is working hard to ensure that happens again.

For more details on the 2012 celebration or to volunteer at one of the events, be sure to check out our website at richfield4thofjuly.com.