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GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Town Council voted at their September 18 regular meeting to end the annual Whoville holiday celebration. The decision came after hearing a disheartening report by Town Manager Cindy Yost on the financial constraints and decreased attendance at the event.
Yost said that around 3,000 people attended the 2023 Whoville festival, but that number shrunk by more than three sizes the next year in 2024, which only saw 875 attendees. Expenses for the 2024 Whoville totaled $24,924. After subtracting the amount the town paid from 2023’s profit, the 2024 Whoville event put the town of Greensboro $15,908 in the hole. And that number does not include overtime paid to employees, light tower costs, fuel for generators, and other expenditures.
“With us being in September, I have to know whether you want to move forward with Whoville again,” Yost said, “or if we want to do something different.”
Councilman Joe Noon said he felt for the town employees who are tasked with working the event during the weekends of Whoville. Councilman Pete Brelia echoed the other immediate comments of the Council following Yost’s report, “It’s a big burden.”
Councilwoman Christina Robinson said she would like to see a more cost-effective version of the event where the holiday lights can be available for all to enjoy at any time, not just during the weekends as with Whoville — time which is usually further narrowed due to cancellations in inclement weather. “I want to be clear that I don’t want there not to be anything,” she said.
The Council tossed around ideas like a one-night special event with Santa and hot chocolate, a parade, and having the lights up somewhere permanently. Mayor David Spencer said a parade would be tricky, “A parade would be great…but it’s hard to get people to commit.”
Mayor Spencer said he’d like to see the town take ideas and input from the public, and Yost said she would work on such outreach.
“Poor Whoville, it was nice while it lasted,” said Mayor Spencer.
