Sales dropped and costs climbed this year for the Hollister
Independence Rally, which lost a significant dollar amount in
2003.
That loss, which has not been released yet because of accounting
technicalities, was considerable but less than a $50,000 shortfall
two years ago, according to rally head Bob Beals.
Sales dropped and costs climbed this year for the Hollister Independence Rally, which lost a significant dollar amount in 2003.
That loss, which has not been released yet because of accounting technicalities, was considerable but less than a $50,000 shortfall two years ago, according to rally head Bob Beals.
Even with record crowd estimates, sales were down 22 percent and revenues dipped by 5 percent, he said. Adding to that, costs increased for security and other preventative measures.
“There were a lot of people in town, but they haven’t been spending the same kind of money,” said Beals, who attributed the down year to the economy.
The rally, held annually on the weekend of July 4 in downtown Hollister, attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from out of town and thousands of local residents. In 2003, rally officials estimated an attendance of more than 100,000 people.
Beals confirmed the rally did lose more than 2002, when the deficiency reached about $1,500. HIRC even experienced a slump in beer sales this year, Beals said.
“It’s just the nature of the economy. The head count was considerable, and yet the amount of money we made (was not).”
Next year’s rally will need to attract even more visitors because the City of Hollister and other statewide jurisdictions will no longer offer free services.
Officials from the city and rally have estimated HIRC must generate an additional $230,000 – more than doubled the estimated $200,000 normally earned. To do that, they plan to expand the rally area, along with recruiting more vendors and increasing several fees. Rally officials are shooting for an additional $283,000, but Beals said he would be pleased making 85 to 90 percent of that.
“I think it’s going to go well,” Beals said. “We’re getting a lot of support from the city.”
Each year, HIRC donates proceeds to local nonprofit organizations. While maintaining a reserve account, HIRC will continue giving out money. It has already distributed about $16,000 to date in 2003.
More HIRC donations will be given out at an annual luncheon, a date for which has not been set. Last year, the event occurred in October.
