Port Washington estimates $25,000 loss from 'Rock the Harbor' event

PORT WASHINGTON (WITI) -- The first ever "Rock the Harbor" event in Port Washington was successful in bringing in Harley Davidson riders and exposing other visitors to the area, however from a financial perspective, the festival did not come out on top.

"We knew we, obviously, might be looking at the end, when all things were said and done, an event that wasn't financially, directly profitable," said Port Washington Mayor Tom Mlada.

Mlada is also on the Board of Directors at Port Main Street, Incorporated which is now on-the-hook for an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 in expenses related to "Rock the Harbor." The mayor says the event committee hoped the expenses would be covered, at least in part, through sponsorships.

"In terms of outreach and the efforting on the sponsorships, that certainly was going on for some time. Ultimately, the things we really felt like would come to materialize, just didn't come to pass," explained Mlada.

Mlada says there are private citizens and businesses expressing interest in helping to cover costs, but more work remains.

"This is a time, in my mind, where we use this to pivot and say 'alright, now that we come back together, as a Main Street program, how do we move forward? Not only in terms of addressing the short-term deficit related to this event but, really, how do we move forward and be successful and sustainable in the long-term?" said Mlada.

Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the nearly $25,000 deficit on other events in Port Washington but Mayor Mlada says events will proceed as planned.

The debt is scheduled to be addressed during September 17th's Common Council meeting.