SnowGlobe wrap up: Global attention, donations, the environment and fields

As the tents are taken down, the stage removed and all other components of SnowGlobe disappear for another year, an evaluation of the Community Play Field and other aspects of the seventh annual event in South Lake Tahoe are being made. There may be negatives to the popular event that draws in 20,000 people a day, there are also many positives to be celebrated.

There is more to the three-day festival, SnowGlobe, than music and crowds, a side of the event many aren't aware of.

The attendees came to South Lake Tahoe from 48 different countries this year, many of them posting on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram about their travels and the musicians they are seeing., giving Lake Tahoe even more exposure to an untapped market.

Besides the world-wide exposure, SnowGlobe organizers have also made it their mission to donate to local non-profits, both during the year and during the event which runs December 29-31 each year.

"We have donated over 1,500 lbs worth of food, drinks, more than 1,000 pieces of warm clothing and furnishings to local food banks and shelters," said Chad Donnelly, SnowGlobe founder, CEO and producer. "We are also excited to share that we have donated over $30,000 throughout the past year to local non-profit organizations."

Not only did they donate, they are also going to be planting 200 Sugar Pine trees in the Lake Tahoe Basin through the Sugar Pine Foundation and Waste Free Earth.

"A small gesture of gratitude for the local environment that has inspired us so much," said Donnelly.

SnowGlobe also gave over 500 locals a temporary job according to Donnelly. They had jobs ranging from production and site operations, to bar staff, merchandise sellers, among others.

In 2016, SnowGlobe saw 65 percent of their generated trash diverted from landfills and moved into compost and recycling efforts. That was a 11 percent improvement form 2015. Donnelly said this year's figures are not available yet.

That 65 percent is broken down into 18,000 pounds of compostable materials, 23,144 pounds of recyclable material, and 1,377 pounds of donated food. The vendors also must use biodegradable products in serving the crowds.

The donated food, drinks, clothing and furniture went to eight local organizations this year: Live Violence Free, The Warm Room (Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless), South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center, Boys and Girls Club, Christmas Cheer, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, Bread and Broth and St. Theresa Church.

"We are proud to say that most of these donations were fresh produce donated by Imperfect Produce through our social media partnership of #EatUgly. Whatever couldn't be donated, we gave to our 70+ local green team employees," said Donnelly. "We look forward to improving these numbers every year."

Donnelly and his team have also launched a new FaceBook page specifically for the South Lake Tahoe community, where there will post info about sustainability and other projects as soon as its available.

There were noise complaints voiced on social media during SnowGlobe, but fewer calls were made into the City's hotline dedicated to the event. On the first night, 25 calls were logged, followed by 40 on day two and 23 on New Year's Eve.

Days leading up to SnowGlobe (SG), and then each day during it, and afterwards, there are daily briefings held with City, law enforcement and event staff. During one of those, a letter was read from a letter from local resident, complimenting them on the best year in terms of event management.

"From the City perspective, the event was managed better than ever this year," said South Lake Tahoe City Manager Nancy Kerry. "After 7 years of working with the SG producers, and many of our staff working the event from the beginning, the producers collaborate with the city throughout the year. The layout functioned well, the responsiveness of SG and their team is efficient and tight; so few medical and security calls given that 20,000 people attend this event, transportation and public safety was much improved due to the partial closure of Al Tahoe and the 60 buses on hand for the event; trash and sustainability efforts have been exceptional this year – they are on top of the clean up every day."

Because of a non-existent snow coverage at the venue, noise did seem louder as snow was not there to absorb sound.

"Bringing the bass level sound down to a more reasonable level for the community needs to be resolved," said Kerry.

Even with a highlight of some positive points of SnowGlobe, there has been concerns voiced about the condition of the SLT Community Play Fields now that the event is over.

Donnelly and his company paid a $250,000 deposit to the City to ensure the fields are back up to their previous state by June. No games had been played on the new fields once fall hit, and play wasn't permitted before winter as the planted sod hadn't grown enough to withstand play. Pads placed under the tents and stages did their job, and once equipment was removed the grass bounced up.

SnowGlobe came when the sod was dormant, and the full effect of the event on the new field will not be known until Spring. The appearance today leads one to believe the damage is major, but experts say the sod is still there and there may be no damage. The turf was previously frozen, but with warmer temps and concert goers jumping up and down on it, the sod has been pushed down and dirt from use has covered it.

Those experts will take some core samples, and the next big rain should help to reveal what is actually left behind according to Kerry.

SnowGlobe cannot come back at the end of 2018 if the fields are not back as they should be, a condition of Donnelly's contract with the City.

"We are working with the City and turf experts on a daily basis," said Donnelly. "This started months ago and it will be the protocol until the Community Play Fields are restored. We are committed to being partners with the City of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College and the local community at large, which to us means that we will always go above and beyond to fulfill our commitments."