Palestine A&P discusses costs for holiday event

The Palestine Advertising and Promotion Commission recently discussed possible changes to the city’s annual Christmas Downtown event. A&P Commissioner Michelle Garner said the group previously discussed the addition of bungee trampolines and the Mt. Everest slide for the Christmas event. "I know we talked about this back in March and decided to table it until later in the year," said Garner. "We talked about doing more attractions instead of just the ice skating rink. Timothy, with All Blown Up, sent us a quote with the three section bungee trampoline and what they call the Mt. Everest slide. The total for all of those things, including the distance charge, staff calls and damage waiver is $38,000. That was their quote in March." Garner stated that the commission missed the deadline to lock in 2025 prices, although she doesn't anticipate much of a change in price. "These things would bring new things for kids to do and change things up a little bit,” said Garner. “The bungee trampolines that were at the mall in Memphis were a big deal at one time. I don't know that the price will be anymore if we don't meet their deadlines. We missed their deadline for their discount because we would have had to book in January to keep the 2025 pricing." Garner told commissioners she also is planning to use the same tree and that she has plenty of decorations already in storage for this year’s event. "I would think these are set prices," said Garner. "It will be about $60,000 for everything. That is if we keep the three carriages as well. I have replacement lights and I am going to use the same tree this year, because nothing is wrong with it. I have quite a bit of stuff to use for decorations.” Commission chairman Derrick Boileau said he has no problem spending the money for the city to host the event, but reminded commissioners to be mindful of the money being spent. "It is about $60,000 for everything and we have $80,000 in the bank," said Boileau. "We aren't really spending money so it should be okay. It's for the town and that is what the A&P is for. But, if we go out there and spend 80% of our money this year, we aren't'going to have any to spend next year.” Boileau said the city is not receiving as much A&P tax revenue as it did previously. “Love's revenue is way down,” he said. “Of course I am rounding up to $60,000, but I am sure they are going to put taxes on it. If we spend that, we will have $19,000 to $24,000 at the beginning of next year. I am aware we need to do this for the town, it is what we are for, but I think we have got to be mindful down the road." According to Garner, there are other choices that can be made to potentially lower the overall cost of the event. "We can go ahead and for sure get the ice skating rink booked and we can add to it later on if we want to," said Garner. "Ice skating is a big deal I feel like. There is always a constant line. I know that the pony rides are good for the little kids. They really enjoy that. But that is something that is expensive to me, the pony rides and camel rides. We can also cut down the size of the skating rink." "I think we are going to have to cut something," said Boileau. "I would love to see what we did last year. What the balance was and what we brought in."

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