COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Budget cuts have hit Columbus festivals -- some of which run independently and others that don't.
The Community Festival, known as Comfest has been grassroots since 1972, NBC 4's Tanya Hutchins reported.
"The original Comfest in the early 70s was produced by a group of new progressive organizations and it was all volunteers," said Connie Everett, a Comfest volunteer.
After 37 years, the festival is still run by volunteers. Comfest pays for special duty officers to provide security, trash pick-up and the permit to hold the festival in Goodale Park.
The festivals' income comes from alcohol sales and booth rentals.
Everett said she thinks that festivals that aren't independent should consider asking paid staff to volunteer, along with entertainers.
"I can't imagine that local groups wouldn't want the opportunity to be on such a stage," Everett said.
Three times the number of bands apply to perform at Comfest than space allows for.
Columbus Recreation and Parks runs the Jazz and Ribfest and Festival Latino and expects to make an announcement about those festivals soon.
"I think in this economy today, really the key is whether or not you can maintain your sponsorship because that's where the bulk of your money is going to come in to produce your events," said Terri Leist of Columbus Recreation and Parks.
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