SPONSORS GIVE SUPPORT

Many businesses, organizations, and individuals work together to make Riverfest a successful annual event. But without corporate sponsors, Riverfest would not be the kind of event it is, says Gordon Brookman, a member of the board of directors.

"It would be very difficult to operate without their support; they are the backbone of our organization," explained Brookman. "Without them, we would be in trouble."

Each year, the number of corporate sponsors is limited to four and this year, Southwestern Bell Telephone and St. Francis Medical Center are returning as longtime corporate sponsors.

Returning for a second year is KBSI-Fox 23 television station; in their first year will be Savings of America, who has been an event sponsor in the past.

Brookman pointed out that corporate sponsors make a cash contribution to Riverfest "enabling us to do some things we otherwise would not be able to do. They kick in the big bucks to help us bring in big entertainers. We need this corporate sponsor money in order to put Riverfest on."

Corporate sponsors are mentioned in all Riverfest advertising and Brookman added, "we try to give them as much exposure as we can so they will stay with us."

All four sponsors will have a booth at the two-day event.

KBSI will have one of the more active booths at Riverfest, featuring the Loony Toon characters and some of the Bart Simpson family, including Bart himself. There will also be free Cardinal baseball tickets given away during the weekend from the KBSI booth.

Brookman noted that the number of corporate sponsors is limited to four, although there are other businesses who sponsor the costs of specific events during the weekend.

Corporate sponsors, through their up front donation to Riverfest, also provide a kind of insurance policy against bad weather that might leave the committee with a lot of expenses and very little revenue to meet those bills.

"We are not designed to make a profit. Our whole purpose is to put an event together that is community-wide and area wide," said Brookman. "We are reaching out to an area of about a 60 mile radius. This is a good community program and hopefully it will continue to be a good festival."