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Boo Fest will creep here [The Herald-Tribune, Batesville, Ind. :: ](Herald-Tribune (Batesville, IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 18--As volunteer directors Mary Ellen Rippe and Bill Flannery prepare for Fear Factory's fourth season, they have "identified some tremendous assets in our community and formed an idea that, if we all work together, we can exploit the opportunity for all of our businesses" and make the city an autumn destination, Batesville City Council President Gene Lambert told other members July 14. Right now it's called Batesville Boo Fest and could help the city become "a destination for family fun and fright" and capitalize on some of the $1.6 billion spent on Halloween, the next biggest holiday after Christmas, Flannery pointed out. The collaboration between the city, businesses and Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce would take place during the six weeks leading up to Oct. 31. It's a major project "I'm excited and very passionate about," said Flannery, a Batesville Board of Works member. "Batesville has some great fall and Halloween events all independent of each other." He would like to see them linked so tourists could spend an entire day or weekend here. "We have the Vogt Farm Pumpkin Festival, a 19-year event." He reported 8,000-10,000 attend each season "and it's growing." He observed a TV documentary deemed The Sherman House a haunted hotel. The nonprofit Fear Factory, whose proceeds benefit Cierra's Club, which provides safe entertainment choices for teens that do not include drugs or alcohol, also is increasing its presence. With 2,000 visitors last year, he and Rippe are hoping for 3,000 this time around, "the majority not from Batesville. "What we want to do is capture those people to visit the rest of Batesville" and spend money. He had other ideas. Perhaps the Gibson Theatre could show scary movies. Christian's Kinder Laden has "great Halloween costumes" that could appeal to tourists. He emphasized, "Not one business will be spotlighted. Many businesses want to be on the committee." Rippe reported advertising would be massive. In addition to ads appearing in The Herald-Tribune and The Bright Beacon and on WRBI, a projected 54,000 would view them on Gibson and Wolf theater screens. There would be a Walnut Street banner, yard signs and I-74 billboard. The publicity campaign would be high-tech with a QR code directing people to a Web site. Marketing experts will design a Facebook page and mobile app, and Google Maps will be used. She noted the tech investment is paid once, but can be used every year. To generate revenue, wristbands that offer local promotions and specials will be sold for a set amount with the wristband savings listed on the Web site. Similar elements could be used in the future for Christmas, Cherry Thing-a-Ling or other campaigns, she pointed out. Boo Fest's total budget is $7,500, which includes advertising, marketing design and wristbands. The Boo Fest committee requested that the council allot $6,000 in Belterra riverboat revenue-sharing funds. They expect to gain the rest of the dollars needed by collecting $50 donations from participating businesses. Wristband proceeds would be used to fund the 2015 Boo Fest. Melissa Tucker, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, said, "There are many more ideas that have been going around." After contacting chamber members, "we have a good response right now. We're really excited for the chamber to be a partner in this." Chamber President Dr. Jim Roberts, reported, "The concept of a Boo Fest ... has been on the burner for quite some time." He said the spooky blockbuster "could potentially benefit all businesses," not just those in the downtown area. Boo Fest coincides with the chamber's new mission statement -- "to implement programs and activities to promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life here." Council member Beth Meyers said she likes the idea that the festival would be communitywide, noting her parents own Ruth Ann's Hallmark in Cross County Plaza. Roberts added that chamber Treasurer Peter Mack would manage all receipts and expenditures. Lambert said a committee is being developed. The project is "moving very quickly." He envisions the public library offering Halloween stories and visitors purchasing fall decorations at the farmers' market or a farm. "People are talking about dressing up and having themes in their own businesses. One thing, for certain, we have the assets already. We just need to organize them ... and create a destination." The council unanimously voted to earmark $6,000 for Boo Fest. Debbie Blank can be contacted at [email protected] or 812-934-4343, Ext. 113. ___ (c)2014 The Herald-Tribune (Batesville, Ind.) Visit The Herald-Tribune (Batesville, Ind.) at www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |