For years, the suggestion to offer carnival wristbands has been a thorn in the side of Hog Days committee members. The request from Kewanee residents to add wristbands to the annual carnival has been a constant refrain.
But longtime committee member Janie Metscaviz said while she understands the public’s request, wristbands simply aren’t feasible because the money raised from presale tickets serves as seed money that allows the committee to pay deposits for entertainment and other festival expenses.
As part of a long-standing agreement with the carnival company, the Hog Days Committee receives $30,000 worth of tickets to sell months before the Labor Day weekend. The proceeds from those sales help fund early festival planning.
“It’s been that way for at least 25 years,” Metscaviz said.
Without that seed money, the committee would have to find another way to come up with those funds, such as taking out a bank loan.
“Presale tickets have worked out to be the best way we can begin the process of planning the festival,” she said.
Sheets of 12 tickets are sold for $10 each at local banks and the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce, which works out to about 83 cents per ticket. When the tickets sell out—as they always do—the committee keeps $23,000 and turns over $7,000 to the Chamber to help fund the annual Hog Days parade.
“In order to start planning the festival, we need funds, and without them, we couldn’t do what we do,” Metscaviz said.
Even aside from the financial impact, wristbands aren’t as economical as they appear.
“Most wristbands are only good for certain times of the festival. Other times, you’d still need to purchase tickets,” she said.
The Henry County Fair offers wristbands, but they’re valid only during designated hours.
Committee members have also noted that if it rains during those designated hours, attendees will lose the money spent on wristbands. And if festivalgoers visit the carnival at other times, they will still need to buy tickets to ride.
Although ticket prices have increased by a quarter this season due to rising fuel costs, Metscaviz said buying tickets in bulk at the ticket booth remains a good deal.
“A sheet of 20 tickets is $25, or $1.25 a ticket,” she said. “A sheet of 50 tickets is the best value for $50.”
Metscaviz said the goal of the committee has always been to keep the festival affordable for families and have tried to keep prices low and entertainment free. She added that while many people will continue to request wristbands, the committee will stick with presale tickets for now to ensure the festival remains the event the public has come to expect and love.
