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By Miriam Raftery
May 27, 2014 (Bonita) – After more than 40 years, the Wild West Bonitafest is now history.
The Bonita Business and Professional Association has voted to disband, by a vote of just 15 of its 50 members, U-T San Diego reports. The Association indicates the vote was uncontested, raising questions over what the apparently absent majority of members think about the decision to permanently cancel Bonitafest and other community events sponsored by the group.
Carri Long-Fernandez, president of the association, said it was a financial decision but did not divulge details. Memorabilia from the event, along with remaining reserves, will be donated to the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center.
The event, founded in 1973, featured a parade, melodrama, entertainers, crafts, games, exhibit booths, refreshments, kids’ zone and freestyle motocross show.
The melodrama’s director has said he plans to continue writing scripts in hopes of someday staging more shows.
This message was posted on the Bonita Business and Professional Association’s Facebook page:
“Dissolving the BBPA was a heart wrenching decision to make and was necessitated by a change in demographics, manpower, membership, and financial support. We had to face the stark reality that we were no longer able to continue with business as usual.
“We will update the BBPA and Bonitafest pages as we have more information on what's to come. In the meantime, the Board will continue to work with legal counsel to ensure that all obligations are met and that we're able to leave a lasting legacy for the Bonita community.”
The disbanded organization also organized other community events, including a holiday tree-lighting and chili cook-off each year, plus awarded scholarships to local deserving students.
The organization’s Facebook page had not been updated in weeks prior to the cancellation notice.
It is unclear why the group voted to disband, like the San Diego Opera, without notifying media of its financial woes in order to make a concerted effort to alert the public that help was needed to save the organization.
People with questions can contact bonitacalifornia.org/bonitafest or send an email to bbpa@bonitacalifornia.org.
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