Local events bring joy. Especially during the glorious warm weather months, a seemingly endless stream of festivals, fresh air concerts, and farmers’ markets operate in northern Chautauqua County. It’s easy to find something exciting and fun to go to almost every day of the week. Some days there are so many things happening locally that it’s hard to choose between them.
These events draw local people and many from neighboring communities and nearby regions, including more than a few willing to travel great distances to participate in events they come to love and anticipate. Events bring people together, encourage positive social interactions and a stronger sense of belonging, and promote community engagement.
While enjoying local events, few of us consider the economic impact events have on the communities hosting them. When people go to festivals, concerts, farmers’ markets, or other events like county fairs, golf tournaments, or car shows, they usually spend money, even when the events have no entrance fees. Many people also spend money on goods and services outside of the event they attended, including in restaurants and on accommodations. When people patronize local merchants and have a positive experience, they’re more likely to visit again, further growing the economy.
The good news for residents is that the money spent in a community tends to stay within the local economy. This creates a multiplier effect. When the income vendors earn is reinvested in the local community, it benefits other local businesses and increases the tax base.
When communities support event organizers and vendors, events thrive and may lead to new events and the growth of existing ones. That’s because events and venues that impose no, or very low, vendor fees provide a low-barrier entry point for small-scale producers and artisans to test and market their products. These environments encourage entrepreneurship, and innovation, fostering the development and growth of new local businesses. Ultimately, this can lead to job creation and increased financial stability for residents. The presence of events can also enhance the desirability of neighborhoods, leading to increased property values. It can help revitalize underdeveloped or neglected areas, attracting more businesses, residents, and events for people to enjoy.
Few people visiting events realize that most are organized and operated by volunteers, or people paid only a tiny stipend for their Herculean efforts. No one is getting wealthy making the majority of these events happen. Unless events are operated by a business entity, like a concert promoter, most events in small communities generate little more than enough revenue to sustain their operation. Some, like farmers’ markets, must cover added processing costs if they accept EBT payments. Most must pay for liability insurance. Many must ensure adequate sanitation, including bringing in portable toilets or operating cleanup crews after the event. Operating costs vary by event.
Event organizers and volunteers inspire others to participate in community service. Their actions can have a lasting impact, creating a sense of unity and cooperation, leading to a stronger, more resilient community. Our municipalities would be wise to support event organizers and volunteers. They make local events sustainable.
Many events require a collaborative effort. Well-established events often have developed steering committees to establish rules to keep us safe, treat vendors fairly, and keep the event operating smoothly. Wise host communities respect them and avoid adding new regulations or fees likely to drive vendors away and end some events.
Supporting events increases joy and stimulates economic growth in our region. The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development Committee recognizes the importance of local events and is grateful to the people making them happen.
Patty Hammond is Economic Development Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative is a standing committee of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF). Send comments or suggestions to Patty Hammond at phammond@nccfoundation.org