Lac La Biche County hosted their first-ever New Year’s Eve event at the Bold Center, featuring local and internationally recognized entertainment.
County spokesperson Shadia Amblie said the ‘Wrap Up and Ring In’ celebration, held in the multiplex’s Devon Room with country singer Julian Austin performing, was a qualified success – because it stayed on budget and was well received by attendees.
“It went well in the regard that people who did attend really enjoyed themselves,” Amblie said. “We got a lot of good feedback there. People were quite happy with Julian Austin, who stayed onstage as long as people could have wanted.”
Lost money
However, a county-hosted New Year’s Eve party could be a one off. Amblie said although the execution of the event went well, ticket sales showed that the community might not be ready for this kind of celebration.
In total, the county sold 65 tickets at $75 each – and gave away 32 through promotions and to councillors. Factoring in costs for Julian Austin ($7,500), a stage from Axe Music ($6,500), the Edmonton-based caterers ($13,000), the decorating ($4,500), hotel rooms for performers ($560), as well as the bus service and champagne – the event cost over $33,000, not counting advertising.
That put the party $28,000 in the red. To break even, organizers would have had to sell at least 440 tickets.
But Amblie said she wouldn’t consider it money lost, since it was budgeted to be spent either way. The county had hoped to throw a New Year’s Eve bash at the Bold Center for 2010-2011, but the facility wasn’t ready – and that money carried over to the party Dec. 31, she said.
“This wasn’t about money making or profit,” Amblie said. “We had combined funds [from two departments], and we didn’t go over budget.”
She added that the timing and the price could’ve been contributing factors for the sparse attendance, with $75 a person possibly a bit steep right after Christmas. But the party was meant to be something new and different for the community, Amblie said.
“It was about bringing a new experience to Lac La Biche County,” she said. “But maybe we’re just not ready for something like that just yet.”
Other new year functions around the area, including the Heritage Centre party and the Kinsmen New Year Bash were sold out. Kinsmen members said they actually had to add 30 more seats to their dinner to accommodate the overflow.