Cullman’s hosting of the state track and field meet, combined with a huge turnout for the Strawberry Festival, generated an estimated $100,000 in tax revenue.

Even with the troubling presence of rain hampering the Friday schedule, a record 12,000 people were in attendance at the festival, mostly on Saturday as the skies cleared with mild temperatures, Waid Harbison of Cullman Parks and Recreation reported at Monday’s Cullman City Council meeting.

Guests for the state track meet averaged a three-day stay in Cullman, with more than 5,000 in attendance each day, said City Council member Clint Hollingsworth.

“The estimate for taxes collected from dining and other shopping was more than $100,000 for the city and county and our schools,” Hollingsworth said.

Councilman Andy Page also praised the volunteers and city employees who contributed their time to assisting with the track meet.

“The volunteers were a great part of the success and the compliments we all heard on the event,” Page said.

Hollingsworth said volunteers in the event helped keep expenses 10 percent below budget.

Harbison said last year’s attendance at the Strawberry Festival was just short of the crowd that came out on May 6.

“The weather was great on Saturday and we also expanded the activities into the Warehouse District with the car show,” Harbison said. “I know we sold 5,000 gallons of strawberries on Saturday and could have done more, but we ran out by 4 o’clock.”