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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
September 16, 2005 UWGB bids goodbye to Bayfest after 25 years Event acted as fund-raiser for athletic scholarships By Kendra Meinert
The festival, held in June on campus since 1981, was designed as a fund-raiser for UWGB athletic scholarships. Declining revenue in recent years was the primary reason in the decision to end the event and look to other fund-raising programs for Phoenix athletics, said athletics director Ken Bothof.
At the height of its popularity in the middle and late 1990s, Bayfest generated more than $100,000 in annual net income. The average net income for the event over the last three years is $16,638.
Stung by bad weather in 2004, Bayfest lost $26,743. This year, hit by another round of foul weather — including a tornado warning that forced evacuation of the grounds — it netted $5,841.
Considering the work and time put into the four-day fest, Bothof said, "It's not what you would call the greatest return on your investment.''
Tim Quigley, who has been director of the event for all of its 25 years, said that as recently as 2003 Bayfest made $97,000. During its entire run, it has generated more than $2.5 million for UWGB athletic scholarships, he said.
Quigley announced in July that he was not seeking an extension of his contract to manage Bayfest. The contract expires Sept. 30.
Bothof said Quigley's departure was a factor in the decision to discontinue Bayfest, "but in the end, it was the financial fund-raising revenue that was the biggest factor.''
Increased competition for entertainment dollars, particularly during busy summer months, also played a role, Bothof said.
"There are more summer festivals throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, and there are more concerts available in Green Bay in the last few summers, whether it be the Resch Center or Oneida Bingo & Casino and their series of concerts,'' Bothof said.
The decision to end Bayfest doesn't come as a surprise to Quigley, who worked for 31 years at UWGB.
"I wasn't surprised at all. I don't think they want to be in the festival business. I look at that as being their call,'' Quigley said.
"In retrospect, it's a sad occasion,'' he said. "I've always said that Bayfest is to Green Bay what Summerfest is to Milwaukee. It's a great festival. It's a community festival. I'm really proud of it.''
Bothof said the university had been evaluating the declining revenues of Bayfest in the last four or five years. While the numbers speak for themselves, Bayfest's well-established and well-earned spot on the area's summer scene is tougher to dismiss.
"From a pure financial standpoint, it wasn't a difficult decision,'' Bothof said. "From a tradition and history of Bayfest standpoint, and because of the community involvement, it certainly made it more difficult.''
The UWGB Athletics Department has established several new fund-raisers in the last couple of years that are gaining momentum, Bothof said. Programs like the UWGB-Packers Steak Fry, annual fund drive, No Limits! women's banquet and Phoenix Home Building Project (local builders donate time and materials to build a house that is then sold), give the university diverse ways to raise funds and reach out to the community, he said.
Quigley wouldn't be surprised to see Bayfest rise from the ashes and return in another form.
"I don't think it's going to be over. I really don't. I have one nonprofit group that has already said they have an interest,'' said Quigley, who doesn't want to manage another festival but would hire on as a consultant.
"I think Bayfest, maybe not by that name, will resurface at another location managed perhaps by another nonprofit group."
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