The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
From its humble beginnings 25 years ago, when a few hundred people gathered on the downtown waterfront, Afr'Am Fest has grown into one of the nation's largest African American music and cultural festivals.
Now some city officials question just how big it really is.
Festival officials said that between 250,000 and 300,000 people attended the last festival, held over the Memorial Day weekend in 2008.
Yet Afr'Am Fest's financial reports indicate the event attracted just a fraction of that number.
A report, obtained from the city by The Virginian-Pilot under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, lists ticket sales of $298,746 for last year's event.
With tickets priced at $10 per day, or $20 for all three days, paid attendance was probably less than 40,000.
Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot said the festival probably drew more than 100,000 people.
"I think we have an issue here," he said. "We don't know what the real numbers are.
"We want them to be fiscally responsible and to report accurate figures. With the data we have, we can't say that."
The festival sponsor, the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association, has long heralded the event as its primary fundraiser for student scholarships. But the most recent financial statement indicates that of $697,516 in total revenue for 2008, only $14,720 went for scholarships.
"We would like for them to be successful so that they could provide more money for scholarships," Burfoot said.
City Manager Regina V.K. Williams said she does not have an issue with Afr'Am Fest attendance estimates. But for this year's festival, to be held over the Labor Day weekend, she is requiring that officials manually count the crowds entering Town Point Park.
In a five-page memorandum of understanding issued by the city, Afr'Am Fest officials also agreed to adhere to other guidelines. Williams will approve all programming, including musical acts.
Last year, some downtown residents complained about profanity used by some performers, an accusation sponsors largely denied.
Williams also must approve security arrangements, and audited financial reports must be provided.
An Afr'Am Fest official defended last year's crowd estimate, saying it came from the Norfolk police. Spokeswoman Mary Murray said the estimate included everyone in the downtown area that weekend.
The festival is one of the few gated events downtown that charges admission. She said some gates were unattended for a time and some patrons apparently walked in without paying. Senior citizens and children also were admitted free, she said.
Jack Kavanaugh, a retired admiral who heads a homeowners association in Freemason, said he witnessed unmanned gates at last year's event.
Williams said all gates must be manned this year.
The city received a copy of the group's financial records at the insistence of Mayor Paul Fraim after a series of misunderstandings, including a short-lived plan to move Afr'Am Fest to Norfolk State University.
Fraim said he was surprised when he read the financial statement.
"Like a lot of people, I'd been led to believe this was downtown's largest festival," he said. He declined to criticize the group and said he hopes this year's festival is a success.
Kavanaugh said he met with members of the arts association board and wishes them well.
"Their board members are wonderful people, but they're not business folks," he said. "They need some guidance, and I think the city is giving that to them."
The city will provide Town Point Park rent-free, which Williams values at $185,000. The city also is providing a $40,000 grant.
Afr'Am Fest officials said the city will make every dime back in tax receipts and parking fees. Last year, the festival paid $51,677 in direct state and local taxes.
Councilman Paul R. Riddick said he's not concerned that Afr'Am Fest is smaller than once thought.
"I'm glad Afr'Am Fest is in Norfolk," he said. "We need an African American festival.
"One day, I hope it does draw 300,000 people."
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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TRUE!
True about Harborfest attracting the drunk folks who indulge in alcohol. At least they keep the guns at home or the choose not to fire them in the parking garages, even when they are inebriated!!!!
Conduct an investigation. Now.
Conduct an investigation and an audit that will surely find corrupt behavior and irregularities. Tax fraud is almost a certain fact. 200,000 attendees at $10.00 each would have produced 2 million dollars. A 10% admission tax would have produced $200,000 for the City. Why did this not happen?
Most of this will be swept under the carpet. Regina Williams and Councilman Riddick at their best.
Institutionalized racism?
Can anyone out there tell me of one single instance where Harborfest was billed as a celebration of "White Heritage"? I really doubt it. Although I could be wrong somehow I don't think that would ever fly.
Culture
The thing that separate this area from any other city is that we don't have any cultural events because people like the one's that complain about every little thing that happens, every little thing that the area wants to build for us, complain..complain...complain. If you have some many great idea's please run for mayor if not please move out the area immediately!
Harbor Fest/Afr'm Fest
I attend both of these events each year. Harbor Fest attracts a huge crowd of drunk, belligerent men and women who seem to be interested only in the amount of alcohol they can consume. This doesn't strike me as a family atmosphere-children around a bunch of people who are so willing to display their poor choices for everyone to see. There is profanity at both of these events, but one event is clearly designated for the alcoholics of our community. I really don't understand how so many of you excuse the disgusting behavior of these people at Harbor Fest, but complain so adamantly about the behavior at Afr'm Fest. It's hypocritical.
Is it really that disturbing that blacks want to celebrate their culture, their contributions, indulge in activities that bring them joy? Is it any different from Greek Fest? Different nationalities have different traditions, interests, etc., and it's a shame that some of you believe it's a crime to recognize these differences that make the US the melting pot it is.
To answer your question
Being black is not a nationality as is being Greek, so yes, Afr'm is different from Greek Fest.
Afram Fest
I will say this, theres an awful lot of fighting, weed smoking, foul langauge, GUN TOTING, and bullets flying when that event comes around. It happens when the sun goes down, all the thugs come out. Its true, whether you like it or not, thats what happens. If you want to say that Im targeting Afram, I am!!
The event has changed
I am white and attended Afr'Am Fest for many, many, many years with my friends (both black and white). But the last few years I attended there was a different vibe. I felt unwelcomed - even by vendors. My friends (both black and white) sensed this too so we all stopped going. It seems that racism in this area is getting worse instead of better. I moved away for a while and came back and was shocked at how bad the racial climate is. It's a shame that this has to be an issue in 2009 :-(
If a Quarter of a MILLION people DID Show up..............
Perhaps the Afram folks pocketed the extra dough.
Nothing for Employees and Retirees
Norfolk employees were asked to sacrifice because of the "bad economy"--no merit increases, no increases to keep up with inflation, and our tuition assistance cut in half. Guess Norfolk City Council needed the money to fund Am Fest -- big pockets for everyone except the employees and retirees.