The 24^th annual PrairieFest celebration held over three days in June saw a profit and revenue increase from last year.

In a report to Park Board Commisisoners, Special Events Supervisor Kristie Vest said the 2013 PrairieFest saw revenue increase $2,681 from last year.

The late start of the festival on Friday did impact revenue, particularly in beverage sales.  Vest wrote that due to the weather conditions of the weekend – 100 plus temperatures and a forecast of afternoon rain – they were unable to recoup that loss.

However, by increasing their Title Sponsors by one and doubling the Millennium Sponsors to six the Park District was able to make up for the shortfall in carnival and beverage sales. Sponsorship revenue in 2012 increased by $10,450.

The expenses were under budget by $14,927, which Vest says is in part from the competitive pricing among the district’s publishing and printing vendors. Vest, heading the festival for the first time, said she was also more conservative with decisions in regards to the budget.

Overall, the 2012 PrairieFest posted a profit of $28,128, which will go toward supporting future PrairieFest contingencies.

For future fests, Vest said they will work to find a Saturday night band with a “deeper library of well known songs.” She said that when the crowd knows more of the headlining songs, they tend to be more involved.

Next year will be the 25^th PrairieFest, and Vest said the district is “looking forward to looking back.” The fest likely will include some old favorites, like the Medallion Hunt and Smash a Truck, with new events, like the Bed Races introduced in 2012.