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Hearts cites decreased attendance and increases in production costs as contributing factors

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Chicago, IL — Fireball, the annual fundraising party, is the latest casualty in a series of imploding circuit parties.

Sources confirmed to ChicagoPride.com on Wednesday that the all-volunteer Hearts Foundation will no longer host Fireball citing “decreased attendance” and “increases in production costs” as the contributing factors.  Fireball is one of the few remaining circuit parties still organized by a committee. 

Quoting sources close to the Fireball 2006 planning committee, JustCircuit.com reported early in the week that bad press regarding financial irregularities and committee infighting contributed to what’s being described as a “difficult decision.”

In recent weeks, the not-for-profit organization which was formed in 1998 has come under fire from local media.  WBBM radio and the Chicago Free Press have reported the foundation has failed to make pay-outs to any of the beneficiaries from the funds raised from Fireball 2005. 

Those involved with Fireball and the Hearts Foundation tell ChicagoPride.com that skyrocketing expenses and the increased liability that comes with hosting a Festival the size and scope of Fireball have caused revenues to drop dramatically. 

The Hearts Foundation Board released an official statement late Thursday confirming the cancellation of Fireball and outline the future of the Hearts Foundation which will currently remain an Illinois not-for-profit organization, though remains uncertain. 

Last February’s Fireball events included well-attended parties at the House of Blues and Chicago’s Union Station.  Fireball 2005 was considered by many to be the circuit party of the year. It was estimated that nearly four thousand individuals from across the nation and abroad attended Fireball in 2005. 

According to the Hearts Foundation, between 1998 and 2004 they've been able to raise and distribute in excess of $1 million to various agencies throughout the Chicagoland area that help those who have been infected with HIV/AIDS. 

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