Is there a such thing as too many festivals? Last weekend was consumed with festival hopping – from Soda City’s Oktoberfest, to the Palmetto Peanut Boil, to the Rosewood Art & Music Festival, to JerryFest. Don’t get us wrong – we’re not complaining one bit.

According to a survey conducted by Free Times, 48 events + festivals regularly take place each year in Cola. (28 occur in the Fall.) The abundance of festivals raises questions about how the events affect concert venues, local restaurants – and, of course, where is the money coming from?

Many local planners receive public funding for events generated from the City of Columbia + Richland County’s 2% hospitality tax on bars + restaurants. An 11-member committee reviews applications from nonprofits looking for funding, which are then approved by City Council. Festival allocations for 2017-2018 amounted to $5,252,757.

The H-tax committee’s application process occurs well in advance of event dates – so they are sometimes unable to foresee possible scheduling conflicts between events. However, the committee makes an effort to let festival organizers know of other major events + concerts happening in town (and competing for funds) on the same date.

Free live music + food trucks are major features of many local festivals, which raises the concern of business being pulled away from local restaurants + concert venues. But some local business owners see the abundance of festivals + their businesses as complementary. Festival-goers often keep the party going at bars + restaurants after the event has ended.

8 min read / Free Times

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