Financials

Friday at OOB there were nearly 400 vehicles. That represents about 700 persons. As we filed by in the parade, one could see several hundred spectators. Roughly 1500 persons total. If only half of those ate or drank anything, or shopped the stores, and spent even a minimum of $15.00 each, that comes to well over $10,000.

On Saturday, about 350 vehicles, average of 2 persons per comes to 700 folks. In addition to the $15 entry fee ( over $5,000 total), at least 25% got food and drink from town, totaling over $1000. At least a couple hundred spectators, paying $2 entry each comes to another $400-$500. Most of them would likely get pizza and fries and spend an average of $8 per person, or over $3000.

So far, we, the car folks, boost the OOB economy by over $20,000. And this does not include the hundred or so folks from Massachusetts and Canada who rent hotel rooms for the weekend, eat in the restaurants and drink in the bars for the weekend. Each of them likely spends an additional $400, or $40,000.

So, thanks to the folks with the hot cars, OOB likely gets an economic boost of over $60,000 in the one weekend. And this does not even count the bucks made from vendor leases or 50/50.
For them to tell us they had to raise the entry fee to $15.00 because of "rising costs" is a whole lotta hooey!

Considering how much we contribute to their economy, they should eliminate the entry fee altogether. The local businesses sponsor (pay for) the trophies, so it's not like it would be a strain on them.

Maybe we should charge THEM $15.00 to have us bring our cars - they would still make a $50,000 profit.

Let me be clear - I do not have a problem with the $15 entry fee. What I DO have a problem with is that OOB does not put in more effort into making the show a fair and honest venue for all participants - everyone pays the fee, so everyone should be treated fairly. If OOB does not want to put on a better, more fair show, then they have no business raising the fee. We do a LOT for Old Orchard Beach and their September economy. They need to do more for us.

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