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Harbour Nights cut short

Standing room only: People crowd around the Flagpole on Front Street to watch performers at the last Harbour Night of 2009. Due to cuts in sponsorship, Harbour Nights will only last for 16 weeks instead of 24 this year.

Harbour Nights is to end two months earlier this year due to budget cuts but will remain a quality event, says the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the City of Hamilton will continue as lead sponsors for Habour Nights.However, they have had less money to spend due to the recession, said Diane Gordon, the Chamber’s executive director.She said the event would take place from May 18 to August 31, for a total of 16 weeks compared to 24 weeks in past years.“Like everything else in the world, in particular Bermuda, there are certain budgets that have been cut. That goes all the way from the top of Government all the way down to small businesses.“So while [sponsors] are still supporting us the money is less than in previous years.“Because we have been urged to continue putting on this event, we have had to get out to a broader spectrum of businesses to seek sponsorship dollars. We have also had to make the cut in terms of weeks, not in the quality of the event,” Ms Gordon said.Harbour Nights has run for the past 19 years and has an annual average of 85 food, arts and crafts vendors on Front Street each Wednesday night.According to Kristi Grayston, of the Chamber, retail stores typically don’t benefit from increased sales during the event, but stay open late in support of the small businesses.Ms Gordon said some restaurants and bars in Hamilton have stepped forward as sponsors, because they also benefit from higher traffic through the city.She said this year, more than ever, there has been a huge interest from local performers and added: “I would suggest the reason being many people have either lost their job or lost benefits.”This year the Chamber is looking to get buskers, people who play instruments and get paid through cash donations from the audience, rather than a set fee.Such changes, in addition to the heavy traffic from the cruise ships and groups coming to the Island, will ensure the event is a success, according to the Chamber.“We have decided this is definitely a worthwhile event for the community,” she said, adding that it gives tourists a chance to mingle with Bermudians and learn about the Island’s culture and entertainment.For more information on Harbour Nights or to register as a vendor/performer visit www.bermudachamber.bm