48th Southern Decadence Sets New Records: Over 275,000 Participants, $380 Million Economic Impact, $12,700 for Charity
The numbers are in for the 48th Annual Southern Decadence Celebration of LGBT+ Life, Music, and Culture that brought over 275,000 participants to New Orleans over Labor Day weekend 2019. With an economic impact around $380 million, this was one for the history books. The economic impact may be much more because the spending average per person is based on a conservative $1,500. Businesses were contacted following the celebration to ascertain attendance and economic impact through revenues, admission tickets, and customer counts.
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Will Antill and Countess C. Alice raised $32,879.23 for the production of the Southern Decadence Parade and their official charity, Odyssey House. Funds raised, $32,879.23, minus expenses, $19,685.87, left a net amount of $13,193.36. With $500.36 left in the checking account for next year, Odyssey House will receive a donation of $12,693.00, part of which will be dedicated to serving the needs of transgender residents.
NOTE: The 2019 Southern Decadence season saw a dramatic increase in police and sanitation fees. For example, in 2018, the cost for the police/security detail for the parade was $3,073.00; that figure increased to $4,678.65 for the 2019 parade. Sanitation/clean-up cost for the 2018 parade was $595.00; in 2019 it skyrocketed to $2,377.20.
The end-of-summer weekend extravaganza is the 3rd largest in the city following Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Since 1996, the celebration has had a $2 billion economic impact on New Orleans’ economy, with estimated crowds totaling over 2.5 million.
2019 Financial Report:
$606.96 Beginning Balance
$15,379.23 Total Fundraisers
$17,500.00 Total Sponsorships
$32,879.23 Sub-Total
2019 Expenses:
$603.50 Gay Easter Parade
$181.46 Press Party
$858.27 Biloxi Event
$500.00 Parade D.J.
$428.00 Golf Cart Rental
$2,958.00 Parade Insurance
$1,930.00 Former SDGM Luncheon
$2,377.20 Sanitation/Trash Pick-up
$4,678.65 NOPD Security Detail
$2,764.32 Parade Expenses
$2,000.00 Parade Costumes
$406.47 Bank Fees
$19,685.87 Sub-Total
$12,693 Grand Total for Charity.
$500.36 left in bank for next year.
