Photo: WFIU
Performer onstage at Lotus Festival
According to Artistic and executive director Lee Williams, numbers decreased between 6 and 7 percent. He cited the recession and the fact that Lotus was two weeks earlier than last year. Williams said that meant people new to IU had less time to learn about the festival.
“And we were also on a major Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, which would have been an issue too because many Jewish people would not come to Lotus on those days, Friday and Saturday this year, so that is a factor as well,” said Williams.
Williams said the Lotus Festival sustains the not for profit organization, Lotus Education and Arts Foundation. If the festival is not successful, he says the organization won’t be able to survive. Williams did say that this year’s dip in revenue will not have a substantial impact on the festival in the future.
