In 2002, Maggie Valley’s board of aldermen purchased festival grounds in order to offset private and public losses associated with the temporary closing of Ghost Town in the Sky. The Town of Maggie Valley spent about $500,000 to purchase the property. Annual income for the grounds has averaged $11,000; expenditures, $31,000. The article in the Smoky Mountain News reports the annual debt has averaged $147,000, but does not say how much is being paid down.
To solve the problem, it has been suggested that the town hire a new festivals director. The former director complained the town was sending potential acts out of town with its excessive fees.
