HEATHER RUTH / PVT GRAPHIC ARTIST A bar graph, with the most recent festival at left, shows the net incomes for the past seven events. The 2009 figures are still preliminary -- some receipts continue to trickle in. Advertisement

If one of several organizations interested in taking over the Pahrump Fall Festival from the town steps forward, it won't be assuming a money-losing proposition, according to figures presented last week by Pahrump Finance Director Mike Sullivan.

Even this year, during the unusually hot festival weekend Sept. 25-27, the town netted $16,771 from the festival, with some late receipts still coming in, Sullivan told the Pahrump Fall Festival Executive Committee.

The annual net income has varied from a high of $50,153 in 2004, to a low of $8,404 in 2007, when cold weather hampered turnout at an outdoor concert. The town began sponsoring the event in 2003.

"I think it can be more profitable than it is, frankly, for a nonprofit, and they have the same dedication that this group brings," Sullivan concluded in his remarks.

This year receipts totaled $176,125, with a few more left to trickle in; disbursements totaled $159,354.

The biggest expense was the rodeo, which took in $47,934 but cost $65,143. But the $17,209 in net expenses for the rodeo was a reduction from the $24,757 spent last year, when the town disbursements on rodeo expenses totaled $79,769.

Other expenses this year included $39,606 on logistics, $27,729 on publicity and $11,938 on entertainment. Vendors generated $42,565 in receipts this year, down from $48,610 last year and $52,954 in 2007.

Spending on entertainment was only a third of what it was in 2007, with $11,983 in disbursements this year and $18,671 last year, compared to $36,925 in 2007 and $36,174 in 2006.

The carnival generated a net profit of $35,777 this year, up slightly from $35,688 last year. The carnival profits have been about the same amount every year.

Sullivan said organizations to which he provided financial information include the Pahrump Valley Lions Club, the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP), the Clark County Fair Authority, which operates the Clark County Fair in Logandale, and the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce. Even members of the committees now managing the event have expressed interest in taking it over.

"Would there be others?" Sullivan wondered. "There could be because we haven't made it formal or informal, except for word of mouth."

The town could go out with an official request for proposals. The fall festival executive committee lacked a quorum Monday to discuss that. Sullivan suggested the committee hear presentations from groups interested in putting on the fall festival as early as next month, with consideration by the Pahrump Town Board in January.

"The marketing aspect of this, I really think, is one key that we've struggled with for seven years, compared to what they do in these other venues," Sullivan said.

The town uses half the proceeds from the fall festival for park maintenance and the fairgrounds project. Sullivan feared bad weather could result in a year worse than 2007, with only $8,404 of net income.

"But for the grace of God go we. If you thought that was a bad weather year, you haven't seen anything yet. I was concerned this year we would have met our match. Our luck is running out. If we had to shut the carnival down for three days I'm going to write a check," Sullivan said.

Fall Festival Committee Chairman Paula Glidden concurred: "I thought we were going to lose money."

An umbrella, nonprofit organization running the fall festival wouldn't face the political ramifications of a money-losing year in the same way the town would, Sullivan said. The town doesn't have a stiff fee arrangement for groups that want to use Petrack Park. It only checks on things like the availability with the scheduling and insurance requirements.

"The town, like all of Nevada, is facing some severe challenges on their budget, on their revenue streams, staffing levels and resources," Sullivan said.

Organizations already begin marketing efforts this far in advance for summer events, Sullivan said. "That's an element we've never been able to get our arms around. It's a full-time job. It's a certain skill set," he said.