For the first time, one of Columbia's most popular community events, the Roots 'N' Blues 'N' BBQ festival, will be charging an admission fee. If ticket-buyers act in advance, the price will be $10 for a day pass and $15 for a weekend pass. If purchased on the day of, the price will go up to $15 for day passes and $25 for weekend passes.
The city will receive a cut, too. Columbia gets $1 for every ticket sold, regardless of whether it's a weekday pass or a weekend pass. According to Richard King, one of the representatives from the festival's sponsor, Thumper Entertainment, this year's acts are supposed to be higher-caliber than the past two years'.
This past year's festival attracted more than 100,000 people, up from about 65,000 who attended the first year. The state of both local and national economies, however, could have an effect on those numbers, and a $10 to $25 fee per person might be enough to keep some families away this year.
Will charging for Roots 'N' Blues tickets this year produce a lower attendance festival?