A sponsor has stepped up to keep Orange’s concerts in the parks program going this summer in the absence of city funding.
The Wilson Automotive Group is sponsoring five concerts for $35,000, meaning the tribute concerts will run through early August as planned.
Other city-run events remain on the chopping block unless private sponsors step up.
Facing a steep budget deficit, the Orange City Council cut special events last month, including autumn’s Treats in the Streets, a Veteran’s Day tribute and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Orange Plaza Park.
Future Third of July fireworks shows and subsequent years of concerts in the park will also not return, unless sponsors support them.
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Although events constitute just a sliver — less than 1% of Orange’s general fund budget — some councilmembers said they thought it would appear disingenuous to shoot off fireworks and host holiday functions while asking voters to consider a half-cent local sales tax measure on November’s ballot to bridge the city’s multimillion-dollar gap between city revenue and expenditures.
“I can’t in good conscience light off fireworks while asking people to dig into their pockets,” Councilmember Denis Bilodeau said in June.
In a string of high-stakes meetings before the new fiscal year started in July, councilmembers sought to lower last year’s $19 million deficit while affecting public safety as little as possible.
Cutting annual events will save Orange about $750,000, according to a city document. A majority of the city’s nearly $150 million general fund is committed to running police and fire, and the council has so far refused to make any cuts to the current number of sworn officers.
To give back to the city we love so much, Wilson Automotive and its dealerships are truly honored and excited to adopt the “Concerts in the Park” series and bring some music and cheer to Orange! We thank you for making it possible to make a change in our community! pic.twitter.com/CjGFXeIFx5
— Wilson Automotive (@wilsonautocars) July 1, 2024
Councilmembers have expressed hope that more private sponsors will continue the city’s fall traditions, and city staff are finalizing a plan to entice sponsors to support local events going forward, said Orange spokesperson Charlene Cheng.
“The city is in the process of putting together a comprehensive title sponsorship package for the remaining fall events including a Movie in the Park, Treats in the Streets, Veterans Day tribute, and Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession,” Cheng said.
For now, the weekly concerts go on at Hart Park.
Next up, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, the Wiseguys Big Band Machine will continue the series with a 90-minute jazz and swing music concert.
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