Freedom Fair Gets a Shot in the Arm
In July, we wrote about the financial challenges facing Tacoma’s July 4th Freedom Fair celebration. The City’s support of the event has never wavered, but in order to guarantee its continued feasibility, the City’s contract with the Tacoma Events Commission (TEC) for Freedom Fair has been extended 5 years. According to the Tacoma News Tribune, the contract includes a total of $150,000 in funding, with public services (public works, fire department, police) valued at $1.5 million.
The free event has drawn crowds to Tacoma’s waterfront for 3 decades, though this summer’s donation and clean-up efforts met with frustration. Some felt Freedom Fair could become a victim of the weak economy, and that its loss would be a significant blow to the community. But with this affirmation from the City, it becomes more likely Tacoma will continue to host the familiar event with signature outsized exuberance.
Filed under: General
8 comments
R RR Anderson September 7, 2010
hooray! Tacoma’s Freedom to Litter Fair is saved!
O offbroadway September 7, 2010
Yes, I couldn’t believe all the people littering instead of walking to one of the many trash and recycle receptacles. Never having worked in the public sector, I’ve always been curious – What (if any) premium do public service employees get on Independence day for working the event? Time-and-a-half? Double time? Just wonderin’.
A Altered Chords September 9, 2010
“Freedom is not fair” —-Altered Chords
A Altered Chords September 9, 2010
“Fairs are not free” —-Altered Chords.
1 1420 September 9, 2010
@offbroadway-double time for paid holidays that other employees would otherwise have off….
S Squid September 9, 2010
Aside from cops, I think most of the workers at this event are volunteers, including the garbage detail. Double time times zero still equals zero.
C crenshaw sepulveda September 9, 2010
I thought it was double time and 1/2. They get the holiday pay, their normal pay, and an extra 1/2 for working the day as incentive.
S Squid September 10, 2010
And still, it equals zero. Math is an amazing thing that way.