FIBO (Fire Island Black Out), the popular weekend-long event for LGBT African-Americans and friends and loved ones, has regrettably been canceled for the summer of 2014, presenters announced in an email this month. “For 11 fantastic years, FIBO has been the premier beach event for the urban LGBT community, their families and friends,” the email begins. The FIBO weekend has taken place primarily in Cherry Grove, but has included activities on Long Island and in Fire Island Pines as well. Expenses have exceeded proceeds and “beach cleanup and trash removal, which we were happy to do as part of preserving the beach and leaving the community in good condition … cost approximately $3,000 to $5,000 each year,” FIBO President and Chief Executive Officer James Wellons said in a February 7 email to Fire Island Q News. Plans are to take the time “to re-design FIBO.” “[S]tay tuned for something new and exciting!” Wellons wrote in a January 31 email to FIQN’s publishers.
The text of the February 4 email to “FIBO Family and Friends” follows in full:
Dear FIBO Family and Friends,            
For 11 fantastic years, FIBO has been the premier beach event for the urban LGBT community, their families and friends.  FIBO was never designed as a financial undertaking from which to make money, but rather as an annual event where our community could come together for a day of fun and help raise awareness about and funds for nonprofit organizations that benefit our community.
While thousands of people attend FIBO each year, the reality is that only a handful actually purchases our admission bracelets.  The revenues generated from the sales of the admission bracelets were our primary means for paying expenses (e.g., beach cleanup, trash removal, security, tents, etc.).  Over the years, our expenses have increased exponentially.  At the same time, however, we have seen significant disparities between the number of people who buy the admission bracelets and those who attend the event.
So, this year, we are going to take time to re-design FIBO.  This means that FIBO 2014 is cancelled.  We hope by announcing the cancellation now everyone will have amble opportunity to change their plans without any major inconveniences.
During our re-design period, we will continue to be a resource for our community using our platforms to inform you about health, social events, and other important matters that affect our community.
We have worked very hard to build the FIBO community and appreciate your continued support and prayers.  We are looking forward to seeing you again soon at bigger and better FIBO events!