Maroon87
03-11-2008, 12:46 PM
Clear Channel pulls plug on C-Sculptures event in 2008
Costs for the beach festival puts future in doubt
By Lisa Hinojosa (Contact)
CORPUS CHRISTI — Overwhelming costs forced Clear Channel to cancel its longtime C-Sculptures event.
The annual free festivities included live music and entertainment, bikini contests and, of course, the eponymous sand-sculpting competition.
With no admission to reconcile costs, including talent, restroom facilities, gas, clean-up, and security and on-site staff, the event continually came at a steep price, said John Richards, Clear Channel Radio general manager.
“The last several years, we came to the realization that everything is getting so expensive,” Richards said and added that staff last year tried to condense the event and move it to the Packery Channel to compensate.
“It’s very difficult to essentially build a little city on the sand and ... economics just weren’t there,” he said.
Ultimately, the station was not willing to replace the event with a sub-par model.
“At the end of the day we just did not feel comfortable. We would rather stop on a high note than plan an event that we could not be proud of,” Richards said.
An alternative Clear Channel Radio event already is in the works.
Rock U, a rock expo that will showcase elements of rock culture from fashion to tattoos, is slated for late June. The event will bear a striking resemblance to the discontinued C-Sculptures in the way of talent, entertainment and bikini contests.
Fans will notice one key difference, however — the expo will not be held on the beach.
But organizers hope to keep one feature alive. More than likely, the event will be free, Richards said.
Costs for the beach festival puts future in doubt
By Lisa Hinojosa (Contact)
CORPUS CHRISTI — Overwhelming costs forced Clear Channel to cancel its longtime C-Sculptures event.
The annual free festivities included live music and entertainment, bikini contests and, of course, the eponymous sand-sculpting competition.
With no admission to reconcile costs, including talent, restroom facilities, gas, clean-up, and security and on-site staff, the event continually came at a steep price, said John Richards, Clear Channel Radio general manager.
“The last several years, we came to the realization that everything is getting so expensive,” Richards said and added that staff last year tried to condense the event and move it to the Packery Channel to compensate.
“It’s very difficult to essentially build a little city on the sand and ... economics just weren’t there,” he said.
Ultimately, the station was not willing to replace the event with a sub-par model.
“At the end of the day we just did not feel comfortable. We would rather stop on a high note than plan an event that we could not be proud of,” Richards said.
An alternative Clear Channel Radio event already is in the works.
Rock U, a rock expo that will showcase elements of rock culture from fashion to tattoos, is slated for late June. The event will bear a striking resemblance to the discontinued C-Sculptures in the way of talent, entertainment and bikini contests.
Fans will notice one key difference, however — the expo will not be held on the beach.
But organizers hope to keep one feature alive. More than likely, the event will be free, Richards said.