OLATHE — Final figures show the one-day Olathe Sweet Corn Festival brought in $189,759 in ticket sales this year, a 16 percent increase over last year, festival director Bobbi Sale said.
The festival Aug. 4 featured country music star LeAnn Rimes in concert. The event has come under fire in recent years as the town used money to help cover deficits.
Sale told the Olathe Town Board last week that the event has shown a profit four of the past five years. Exact profit figures were not immediately available Sunday evening.
The festival’s poor showing came in 2003 when the rock band Styx was the headliner. Sale said festival organizers have learned to book big-name country stars for high ticket sales.
Profits from the Sweet Corn Festival go back to the festival but also help underwrite the town’s Activities Department and Community Center, Sale said.
