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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 St Patricks Festival Re-cap CITY CLERK File # D[2]~[m-[tJ[Q] AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 15,2007 SUBJECT: St. Patrick's Day Festival Re-cap Report by Lorri Polon, Recreation Coordinator ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: ~ Receive report, and establish the date and provide ~ . recommendations for the 2008 St. Patrick's Day events FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: The 2007 St. Patrick's Day Festival was held on Saturday & Sunday, March 17 & 18 at the Dublin Civic Center. An extensive marketing campaign coupled with spring-like weather added considerably to the popularity of the events, resulting in an estimated attendance of over 65,000 participants. Changes to the 2007 Festival included; re-Iocating activities to the Dublin Civic Center, holding the Pancake Breakfast at the Civic Plaza on Saturday morning, and re-routing the Dublin Lion's Club Parade to end at the Civic Center. Other additions included ongoing transportation to and from the Festival from the Dublin BART Station and a shuttle to transport Parade participants from the Civic Center back to the Target Shopping Center. This report will provide an overview of the 2007 St. Patrick's Day Festival and allow the City Council to provide feedback to be used in the planning ofthe 2008 Festival. Overview There were a total of 18 sponsors who donated $46,000 in contributions which represents an increase of 65% over last year. The carnival continues to be one of the most popular components at the festival. The carnival provider reported that ticket sales were up 33% from last year and there was an increase in the number of carnival attractions from 11 to 18. Arts & Crafts Booths totaled 110 vendors which is a slight decrease from 122 vendors in 2006. Since Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Festival is one of the first "shows" of the year, many artisans are concerned ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPY TO: Dublin Lion's Club, Parks & Community Services Commission ITEM No.M ~ G:\COUNCIL\Agenda Statements\2007\5-15 St. Patrick's Day (2).doc about weather so they wait until the last minute to reserve their space. A concentrated effort was made by California Artists and Staff to increase the number of authentic Irish wares. However, Staff has had limited success in this area due to the tough competition and proximity to the well received Irish celebration in San Francisco. The unused arts and crafts booth spaces were reserved by other types of vendors instead. Commercial Vendor Booths totaled 35, with the available spaces being sold out by mid-January. Merchants reported that it was a profitable weekend in both contacts and sales. Food booths were increased with two more restaurants/caterers and two additional snack carts. All of the food vendors reported record sales for Saturday. Once again, Non-Profit Booth space filled quickly with a total of 23 organizations participating. This was the same number as last year. Entertainment seemed to be well received with the McGrath School of Dance continuing to be the most popular local group. However, groups like Zoo Station (the U2 Tribute Band), Celtic Heart, Tempest and Bracken all had large crowds as well. The Dublin Library staff reported no real issues with the exception of heavy restroom use throughout the weekend. The Alameda County Firefighters reported over 1,100 attendees at the Pancake Breakfast which is the most they have ever served. However, they have indicated that they will be re-evaluating the location of the Breakfast for next year's event because of cooking logistics and the challenges in moving equipment. The Shamrock Fun Run & Walk garnered similar participation as in previous years and positive feedback was received on the new run route. Sponsorship for the Fun Run increased from $5,750 to $7,500. According to the Dublin Lion's Club, the parade had a record number of entrants and was another huge success. Considerations for 2008 Event Following the 2007 St. Patrick's Day celebration, Staff met with the Logistics Committee and the Parks & Community Services Commission to gather information on suggested changes for next year's event. As a result of these meetings, the consensus is to continue to have the event at the Civic Center but address traffic control and congestion at the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and Civic Plaza as well as Sierra Court and Sierra Lane. These intersections were particularly congested during the pancake breakfast and parade. Additionally the lack of sidewalks on Sierra Court between Dublin Boulevard to Sierra 'Lane made it difficult for pedestrian traffic to walk to and from the festivities. In preparation for next year's event, the Logistics Committee will evaluate options including: · Work with Police Department and Traffic Committee to enhance pedestrian traffic control at the intersections of Dublin Boulevard and Civic Plaza, as well as Sierra Court and Sierra Lane. · Create no-parking zone and temporary pedestrian walkways with crowd control barricades on Sierra Court between Dublin Boulevard and Sierra Lane. · Work with Dublin Lion's Club to determine alternative parade routes that would ease congestion at the end ofthe parade and potentially increase the length ofthe parade route. · Work with the Alameda County Firefighters on an alternate plan for the Pancake Breakfast. · Provide additional shuttles for Sierra Court, the BART station and the downtown area. · Provide additional restrooms on the festival site. · Expand festival activities into a larger portion of the Sports Grounds parking lot. · Provide an additional beverage booth Input from Parks and Community Services Commission Page 2 of3 The evaluation of the Festival was discussed by the Parks and Community Services Commission at its April 16, 2007 meeting. The Commissioners concurred with Staff that the event should continue to be held at the Civic Center, but also shared concerns with the congestion during the pancake breakfast and at the end of the parade route. Several Commissioners indicated that if the parade route was changed that it should continue to end at or near the festival. Otherwise there was a concern that attendance would decline if the parade was not adjacent to the festival location. The Commissioners agreed that the bleachers were a nice amenity, but it appeared the street seating was preferred. It was noted that the Festival needed more restrooms and beverage booths, as well as better signs directing visitors to those locations. Some Commissioners heard comments that the cost of carnival ride tickets had increased and were too expensive. The Commissioners requested that Staff review options for banning animals from the festival site. For the Commissioners that participated in the Fun Run, and based on input received on event evaluations, the new fun run course was well received. Input for next year included better coordination of the race start area, having water available at the finish line and better posting of event results. Date of 2008 Event In 2008, St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday. In the past, such as 2003, when the St. Patrick's Day holiday has been on a Monday, the festival has been held on the preceding weekend. Therefore, Staff recommends scheduling the event for March 15-16, 2008. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report, and establish a date and provide recommendations for the 2008 St. Patrick's Day events. Page 3 of3