Are community events a value add to the Fountain Hills Infrastructure? This question was part of the recent “Vision Fountain Hills Community Survey” that asks residents to participate in order to help make Fountain Hills a better place to live.

Fountain Events, Inc.(FEI), a not for profit organization, has experienced and delivered numerous benefits to the community, including events that celebrate heritage and traditions such as St. Pat’s at the Fountain, Fourth at the Fountain and Oktoberfest. Each of these events draws 3-5,000 visitors to Fountain Park. Locals and visitors from across the Valley come to celebrate these traditions and heritage in a festive, fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Many out of town visitors frequent surrounding restaurants and shops. This is a welcome revenue stream for the retailers that may help supplement the cash dry summer months when winter visitors and vacationers are absent from local shopping.

FEI is committed to invite local food and commercial vendors before searching for candidates outside of town. The local small business presence at festivals is a welcome opportunity for their income stream enhancement. As a result, much of the event income remains in the community.

The local economic value is demonstrated by the success of Fountain Hills Water and Ice, who is a steady participant at events. They have expanded their local water business with Italian Ice, kettle corn and lemonade, which are festival favorites. Phil’s Filling station is able to grow revenue at events, which may help Phil keep a steady staff employed even during the summer slow-down. Our local T-shirt vendor, BoGo Promotions, gains with income from T-shirt sales, promotional materials and signs that are a staple event requirement. Local security is needed and compensated for their work at festivals.

Volunteerism is a great opportunity for service organizations to give of their time to staff many of the worker positions. It’s a way for them to raise funds for their own charities. Local partner organizations have included Kiwanis, Rotary, Sister Cities Inc., Elks Lodge 2846, AMVETS Post 7, Sons of AMVETS, Sons of the American Legion, the VFW, Fountain Hills High School Boosters and the high school basketball team. Over 100 volunteers staff each of the events and the number of volunteer hours donated to these festivals is priceless.

All profits derived from the events that Fountain Events Inc. produces go directly, but are not limited to programs that support Veterans, Fountain Hills High School projects, and the local Food Bank. A great example is the most recent partnership of FEI at St. Pat’s at the Fountain, the MidFirst Bank Coin Truck and VFW. Through joint efforts between these organizations, the VFW, along with matching funds from MidFirst Bank, raised over $3,200 that will benefit plans to build the Veterans Resource Center in Fountain Hills, which will provide assistance to all veterans.

In years past, Sister Cities, Inc. has supported high school student educational trips to its foreign Sister Cities. The local Elks Lodge hosts an annual Christmas shopping spree for kids that otherwise might not receive any gifts under the tree. The high school basketball team was awarded a scholarship to the ASU basketball camp. A recent contribution to Veterans First will help female veterans furnish a temporary housing facility. These are just a few examples of how the event profits are used to benefit our community.

Sponsorships are needed to help offset some of the event expenses. The highest expense categories are in logistics infrastructure, security, marketing, and entertainment. The local business community acknowledges the benefits and enjoyment of the festivals in Fountain Hills, and they have generously supported them in the past. The principals of Fountain Events Inc., who are not compensated, thank the festival visitors and sponsors, and depend on their continued support to help sustain family oriented events in Fountain Hills for all the benefits outlined above.