Re: “Freedom Fair: $30,000 in donations fall short” (TNT, 7-7).
Thank you for your coverage of this year’s Freedom Fair festival on Ruston Way. As Tacoma Events Commission CEO Doug Miller stated, we are very pleased with the community’s generosity in response to our appeal for donations. Even more rewarding were the many positive comments we got from attendees who enjoy Freedom Fair and appreciate the work that goes into putting it on every year.
I would like to clarify a couple points.
The Tacoma Events Commission was not involved in Tall Ships 2008 in Tacoma, and spent no money on that event. We produced the first Tall Ships Tacoma in 2005, and paid all of our bills long ago. Donations from this year’s Freedom Fair will not be used to defray any debt from Tall Ships 2008.
Additionally, Freedom Fair requires planning on a year-round basis, and there are expenses related to that. Although we would like to rebuild the cash reserves depleted by the 2005 Tall Ships event, the donations we received this year will not cover that.
Year-round costs, including rent, equipment maintenance, phones, etc., are a business reality for any nonprofit. Members of the Tacoma Events Commission will continue to work hard to cover those costs and keep bringing world-class family-oriented entertainment to our community. (Lail is chairwoman of Tacoma Events Commission.)
