Brace Yourselves

A city-funded event could ring in 2016 with a light show and a concert after City Council cleared continued planning and fundraising for an outdoor New Year's Eve gathering on the Plaza.

Councilors say they want the celebration to respect the solemn, traditional "Light Up a Life" farolitio display already scheduled that night to honor the Hospice Center. And there's the thought that the city doesn't want people to spend too many hours outside on what's likely to be a frigid night.

Debra Garcia y Griego, director of the Santa Fe Arts Commission, presented an initial feasibility study to councilors on Wednesday night that requested a budget of $50,000 to feature a concert from 10:30 pm to midnight on the Plaza (followed by a countdown) and sought the transfer of $25,000 from the Tourism Santa Fe fund to the general fund to cover upfront costs.

Councilors debated the proposed spending, with Councilor Joseph Maestas suggesting starting small this year and perhaps scaling up over the years, after establishing the tradition—and seeing who's hardy enough to attend it.

"I know some other communities have events in conjunction with the holidays, and wow, it's really cold," Maestas said. "It's not like we can have open fire pits on the Plaza to keep people warm."

To that point, Councilor Peter Ives countered, "Certainly Times Square never seems to lack for people, though it might be raining or snowing or cold…So I'm in favor of putting it forward and seeing how it happens."

During the Oct. 15 lodgers meeting, hotel reps seemed excited about the idea of a New Year's event, according to Randy Randall, executive director of Tourism Santa Fe.

"They were asking for details as quickly as possible," Randall said.

Still, councilors were shy to spring for the line item.

"I'm kind of with Councilor Maestas on starting small," said Councilor Ronald Trujillo.

"Had we not brought The Bachelor, we'd have $50,000. Think of that," Trujillo said, referring to the city's investment in luring the reality TV show here for an episode last summer, with the hope of increased exposure to potential tourists.

Councilors voted unanimously to approve the scaled-down budget, and budget cuts are likely to come from booking a local band instead of a nationally recognized group. So, less AC/DC and Lady Gaga, as councilors  joked, but not quite a rented DJ.

The city will also solicit private donations to cover an additional $10,000 to $15,000, and now that they know what they're asking for, they can begin that process, says Garcia y Griego.

This year, music events with the Mavericks and Beirut drew 3,000 people to the Plaza, she said, and while the post-Thanksgiving tree lighting and the farolitos are also both cold-weather events, Santa Feans have proven willing to show up en masse for them.

The measure passed the City Council unanimously, despite some lingering reservations.

"I don't really think that scaling this back was our best interest, in that all the activities that we have done on the Plaza have been very, very well attended," said Councilor Signe Lindell. "I hope by trying to scale back in the first year that we don't ruin an event that really has potential."

Santa Fe Reporter