(2/21) The Thurmont Town Commissioners
decided restructure how parking fees are
charged during Colorfest weekend in an attempt
to ensure that all of the town’s costs
associated with the annual festival are paid
for by festival attendees rather than town
taxpayers.
Parking around town during Colorfest has
typically been $5 with all of that money going
to the non-profit sponsoring organization,
such as the PTA. This fall, the commissioners
will collect $2 per car as part of their
parking agreements. The commissioners also
recommend that parking cost $10, but that is
up to the organization parking the cars. They
can collect $10, pay the town $2 and keep $8
per car or they can charge less, but the town
will still collect $2 per car.
“Charging $10 at this show is cheap
compared to some of the other shows in the
area,” said Commissioner Wayne Hooper.
The changes is estimated to raise more than
$10,000 for the town, which will be used to
pay for staff time to prepare the town parks,
administer paperwork for the festival and pay
for policing.
“Hopefully, it’s done well enough so we’ll
break even its raining,” said Commissioner
Glenn Muth.
The commissioners will also be reducing the
number of buses that transport visitors from
parking lots to the festival for additional
savings for the town.
