McDonald’s has withdrawn its support from Fairfax County’s “Arts in the Parks” program, halving the budget available for the summer performance series.
The fast-food giant, which has provided the Park Authority program an average $7,000 each year, said it will, instead, be supporting the McLean Project for the Arts.
“They have been with us for almost 18 years,” said Sousan Frankeberger, the coordinator for Arts in the Parks. “And all good things come to an end, at one time or another.”
Park Authority staff speak confidently about bridging the gap in funding for the Saturday morning children’s performances, which run from June through August.
The program is designed as an alternative to morning cartoons, and serves about 7,000 families each year, Frankeberger said.
The remaining events this year are fully funded, she said, but staff are uncertain how the program will be paid for next year.
“We don’t anticipate the program is going to go away,” said Park Authority spokeswoman Judy Pedersen.
“We anticipate we’re going to be able to fund it.”
In an officialstatement, McDonald’s said it would opt to fund the McLean project that “supports our 2006 strategic priorities.”
Frankeberger plans to branch out to local businesses to contribute to the event, which has included performances from Bob Brown Puppets, the Good Life Theater and storyteller Pirate Jack.
