The Daffodil Festival organizers received word recently that Pierce County will be cutting off its annual support for next year’s event.

The county told organizers that because of a tight budget it would be limiting its funding to outside groups that are essential to public health and safety, such as senior centers and domestic violence groups, said Susan McGuire, the festival’s vice president of public relations.

For this year’s festival, the county had originally promised organizers $11,800, but later had to reduce it to $7,700, McGuire said. Festival organizers had to slash their budget from $260,000 for this year’s event to $225,000 for the 2010 Daffodil Festival.

“We knew there were going to be budget issues in different ways and we’re trying to do the best we can with our funds,” McGuire said.

Festival director of funding Robyn DeLorm said organizers are looking for new, innovative and creative ideas to keep the 76-year-old festival afloat.

That includes smaller-scale fundraisers, such as car washes and spaghetti feeds by the festival royalty, as well as having a Daffodil Day at a Tacoma Rainiers game.

The Puyallup Herald