I moved into our first Fishers home in the Sunblest subdivision in May, 1991.  My wife Jane and I lived just a few blocks from Holland Park.  1991 was the third year of the Fishers Freedom Festival, normally held the weekend before most other communities plan their July 4th celebrations.  It was the one event each year to bring people in the local community together, and draw some from outside Fishers.

I have many great memories of festivals past.  That’s why I care so much about the future of the event.  Members of the Fishers City Council, based on comments during a council work session August 17th with the Freedom Festival Board, are also concerned about the future of the event.

The Fishers Freedom Festival has seen very few changes in the 27 years of its existence.  It’s always held at Holland Park.  In all years but the first in 1989, it has been a 2-day weekend event with parades.

Here’s why the city council is concerned.  The City of Fishers contributes $85,000 annually in cash and much more than that with in-kind services, such as Police, Fire and Department of Public Works support.  This festival is a Fishers celebration.  It helps give Fishers an identity.

The festival board says it needs a 44% increase in the cash infusion from the city to erase a funding deficit.  The board says sponsorship money has been down for at least the last two years.

This drop in revenue cannot continue for the Fishers Freedom Festival to remain an ongoing annual gathering.  My suggestion is that Fishers rally behind the volunteer Fishers Freedom Festival Board of Directors.

If the festival needs more sponsorship, I believe there are businesses out there willing and able to support the festival and attach their corporate name.  Are there marketing gurus residing in Fishers who could find ways to attract more sponsorship for the festival?  If so, its time for them to raise their hands and volunteer to help.

Could the festival look at expanding and/or changing up some of the offerings and locations of the event?  There may be some creative ideas out in the community to keep the festival up to date and thriving.

Mayor Scott Fadness and members of the Fishers City Council were steadfast in their support for the great volunteers that make the festival the outstanding event it has been for 27 years.  But they also have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Fishers.  There is a willingness to continue city support for the Fishers Freedom Festival.  My question is – are there people out in the Fishers community willing to step forward and help?  If so, now is the time.  It’s up to the community we call Fishers to continue the festival that has been part of our identity in Fishers’ years of rapid growth.  City government can only do so much. The rest is up to all of us.