Fulton Tourism Commission makes decision to cancel 2020 Banana Festival

by Benita Fuzzell

Meeting in person last week at Fulton’s Pontotoc Community Center, four members of the Fulton Tourism Commission board present, reluctantly voted to cancel this year’s Banana Festival, scheduled for September.

Tourism Commission Executive Director Thea Vowell updated board members Kyle Crawford, Peggy Tribble, Pat Frazier and Melanie Gunn July 9, regarding the “Old Business” item listed on the evening’s agenda, the 2020 Banana Festival.

Funding for the festival falls within the realm of the Tourism Commission finances, along with the securing of corporate sponsorships and “Top Banana” memberships.

Vowell explained at a previous Fulton City Commission meeting, elected officials had opted to cancel plans for the Tourism Commission’s Fourth of July Fireworks, as well as the July Concert in the Park, both previously scheduled and financed through the Tourism Commission.

At that city commission meeting, Mayor David Prater, Commissioners Martha Vowell, Elaine Forrester, Jeff Vaughn and Darcy Linn were provided with information from Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn and City Attorney Allison Whitledge, regarding notification from the Kentucky League of Cities, KLC, and their decision as the insurance carrier for the city, to not provide coverage for lawsuits arising from allegation that covid-19 was contracted through an individual attending a city-sponsored event.

At that meeting, Whitledge explained that while lawsuits may be filed, with or without merit, even in the event the city is found not liable from an allegation, the cost to defend the lawsuit would be substantial for the city, especially if KLC did not cover the cost.

The City Commission did, however, opt to postpone action on the August Concert in the Park, and the September Banana Festival.

At the July 9 Tourism Commission meeting, Vowell told the board members she had been able to find alternate means by which to provide insurance coverage for the Banana Festival, for a cost of $2,500.

“That price, though, covers the event, and the defense of any lawsuit,” Vowell said, however she noted that coverage would not provide financial assistance in the circumstance that the court’s decision did not favor the city, resulting in the payout of a monetary settlement.

Vowell reported the 2020 Banana Festival Committee had met earlier in the week, and had drafted a proposed schedule of events for this year’s festival, in a modified form. A limited number of events, and restricted attendance for certain events would be enacted, to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

She said in that regard, it appeared a parade and the serving of the one-ton pudding would not be possible. Vowell said she had researched the cost for “big screens” to place in locations throughout the areas of Unity Park and Pontotoc Park, to allow for spreading out for those in attendance at concerts, with estimates at approximately $20,000.

“That price would not even include our regular production costs, and paying entertainers. We will also not have access to inmate labor this year, and Tourism would have to pay for extra work hours for the city’s public works and police department,” Vowell said.

She estimated a budget for the proposed festival at $55,000.

“I wonder about a bigger than usual Christmas celebration event,” board member Pat Frazier said. She expressed her concerns regarding the continuation of drawing people into the city, to benefit local businesses.

“I am afraid the risk is too great. I worry about people suing us,” Frazier said.

In regard to a survey coordinated by Vowell using “Survey Monkey” online, she said many people had taken the survey, and many did not want to take it. (See related story "Public’s ideas included in survey results about this year’s events".

Vowell asked for a vote from the board members regarding the 2020 festival, with Crawford, Frazier, Gunn and Tribble voting no, to not have the festival this year.

“I hate it, I do,” said Crawford.

“I feel like we let people down,” said Frazier.

“I do feel like the (city) commission would do the same,” Vowell said.

Discussion took place by the board to “ramp up” the Tourism Commission Christmas event, to help local merchants, and provide an event at that time for the area residents.

Gunn suggested the possibility of moving forward with the sale of 2020 Banana Festival t-shirts, however Vowell said if the decision had been made to not have festival events, perhaps the sale of t-shirts, which would require interaction between the public and volunteers, should not be undertaken as well.

In other business, Vowell reported the Pontotoc Park fountain repairs are underway, with rock and dirt surrounding the fountain to be replaced with concrete planters, and that she was hopeful the cost for repairs would fall within the Tourism Commission board’s recommendation to fund the repairs.

She also said she would like to find volunteers who might be interested in maintaining the flowers in the fountain planters.

Frazier said she would reach out to local “Master Gardeners” who might be interested in volunteering for the task.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved, as were the financials.

Board members Pat Gossum and Terri Harvey were absent.