The City of Sparks receives an annual allocation of room tax revenues from the Reno Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority which can only be used for the marketing and promotion of tourism in the City of Sparks and the operation and maintenance of capital improvements within redevelopment areas of the city. Each year, the Tourism & Marketing Committee solicits funding applications from the sponsors of the special events which take place in Sparks and recommends funding allocations to help pay for the cost of the events. Historically, the committee has recommended that the funds be made available to event sponsors 45 days in advance. At their January 29, 2013 meeting, the committee reviewed the requests for the 2013 special event season with the event sponsors. At their April 9th and 24th meetings, they approved funding requests as noted below:

Shirley’s Farmers Market/JA Nugget $15,000

Road Shows, Inc. – Street Vibrations Spring & Fall Rally $30,000

Sparks Museum & Cultural Center – Western Heritage Festival $5,000

Sparks Parks & Recreation Department $10,000

J.A. Nugget – Star Spangled Sparks $15,000

J.A. Nugget – Best in the West Rib Cook-Off $27,000

Reno News & Review – Arts in Bloom $7,500

The Chamber – Star Spangled Sparks $10,000 (Pending approval of the Sponsorship Agreement)

Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living – Pumpkin Palooza $10,000

U.S. Open of Watercross $20,000

Hot August Nights $30,000

Brand Leadership Team $75,000.