Presentation to Tillsonburg Town Council

1. Presentation to Tillsonburg Town Council Tillsonburg Country Christmas Festival Committee January 28, 2013

2. Festival History • Tillsonburg Country Christmas Festival is a three day community wide Christmas celebration held annually the last full weekend of November • This event began in 1994 as an extension of the Tillsonburg District Craft Guild’s (also known as the Station Arts Centre) annual craft show (The Down Home Country Christmas Craft Show), which was established in 1984. • This weekend has grown to include various organizations and individuals all working together to create a unique Christmas experience in Tillsonburg. • Initially, the weekend was coordinated through the efforts of Linda Albright and the Tillsonburg District Craft Guild. With the involvement of various organizations and their events, Tillsonburg Country Christmas Festival has grown to become the festival we know today.

3. Committee Members Suzanne Fleet – co – chair (Down Home craft show coordinator) Cephas Panschow – co-chair (Town representative) Patricia Phelps – Annandale National Historic Site curator Dave Morris – St. Paul’s United church (turkey supper) Floyd Marshall – St. Paul’s United church (carolling) Sarabeth Strathdee – Bethel Temple church Dianne Clark – committee member (“Light It Up” Tillsonburg contest) Colleen Pepper – Communications Ruby Fleming – Tillsonburg Lioness club (Tour of Homes) Virginia Armstrong – Tillsonburg BIA representative Elaine Balpataky – St. John’s Anglican church (Alleluia Bell Choir and nativity scenes)

4. Vision Vision • To grow an existing signature event into a regional Christmas themed attraction that results in increased visitors and spending in the local economy

5. 2012 Summary • Friday • Annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Fountain Square • Saturday • Down Home Country Christmas craft show • St. Paul’s United church turkey supper • Annandale National Historic Site • Alleluia Bell choir and nativity scene at St. John’s Anglican church • Annual Tour of Homes • Craft bazaars • Carolling • Tour bus • Sunday • Concert

6. 2012 Budget Revenue Tillsonburg Cultural Advisory Board $ 2,500.00 BCAH grant $ 2,000.00 Tillsonburg Hydro sponsorship $ 1,000.00 Venue sponsorship $ 350.00 Town Centre Mall (shuttle bus sponsorship) $ 200.00 Concert $ 1,523.60 Cash on hand $ 1,051.46 Total Revenue $ 8,625.06

7. 2012 Budget Expenses Light decorating contest winner prizes $ 600.00 Light decorating signs $ 813.60 Concert $ 875.00 Carolling bus $ 118.65 Advertising $ 4,322.00 Miscellaneous $ 100.00 Bank charges $ 59.40 Total expenses $ 6,888.65 Net proceeds $ 1,736.41

8. 2013/2014 Plan • Continue with the existing events • Expand new events • Purchase a 50 ft lit Christmas tree and a “Welcome to Christmas in Tillsonburg” sign to create a signature attraction for the festival

9. 2013 Draft Budget Revenue BCAH grant* $ 2,500.00 Tillsonburg Culture Advisory Board* $ 2,500.00 Lighting Contest Sponsorship* $ 1,000.00 Venue sponsorship $ 500.00 SAC insert reimbursement $ 1,500.00 Concert $ 3,000.00 Town Centre Mall (carolling bus sponsorship) $ 200.00 Cash on hand $ 1,736.41 Total Revenue $12,936.41 *Note-These revenue items to be confirmed

10. 2013 Draft Budget (continued) Expenses Christmas Tree Design/Engineering $ 2,000.00 Advertising $ 6,000.00 Concert $ 2,000.00 “Light It Up” Tillsonburg winner prizes $ 700.00 Miscellaneous $ 1,500.00 Carolling bus $ 200.00 Bank charges $ 60.00 Thank you gift cards $ 20.00 Total Expenses $12,480.00 Net proceeds $ 456.41

11. Budget for Tree and Sign Tree Quotes • Christmas Canada $71,624.70 • Classic Displays $98,643.50 Sign Quotes • Christmas Canada $13, 935.30 • Classic Displays

12. Request to Council • The Festival committee would respectfully like to request a pre-budget approval of a $2,500 grant to support our Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage grant application • Agreement to submit application to Ontario Trillium Foundation on behalf of the TCCF committee subject to application being circulated to Council prior to the April 1, 2013 deadline

13. Thanks for considering our request!