The city of Gastonia in North Carolina changed its event funding policy in January 2024, according to the Gaston Gazette. The city stopped paying for police and fire staffing at community festivals – event organisers now must cover the costs themselves.
Highland Festival organisers face new costs
The Highland Festival has called Erwin Center and Park home for 35 years. Erwin Center opened in 1961 in the Highland neighbourhood and was named after Dr Herbert Erwin, Gaston County’s first African American physician.
The Highland Festival is a week-long community event that focuses on health and wealth education for residents. Finland Fair, which organises the Highland Festival, faces a $17,000 bill to hold their week-long event.
This is creating an immense challenge for Finland Fair. “They’ve been helping us for years,” one organiser told radio station WSOC-TV, “and then all of a sudden, you just cut it out. It’s kind of rough.”
Ebonyfest absorbed by Gastonia City Council
EbonyFest Juneteenth Festival was made an exception. Organisers were facing a $15,630 bill for their two-day event, and public outcry followed.
After heated discussion, Gastonia City Council voted unanimously to make EbonyFest a city-operated event. This removes the financial burden from organisers, with the city now running the festival directly.
Other festivals, however, still face the new costs. Councilwoman Cheryl Littlejohn is working on two alternative policy options. Both options would cap the amount organisers pay for city services.
The committee will discuss these alternatives in July. According to Gaston Gazette, City Council will vote on changes after that point.
The city says the policy change happened because staffing essential services costs more now than in previous years. Reportedly, the city still waives venue rental fees for nonprofit events.
Highland Festival typically happens in July. Its future, however, will depend on whether the city approves a more affordable funding option.
