Spoleto surpasses ticket-sales goal

Organizers with Spoleto Festival USA aimed to make more money this year. As they balanced the books Tuesday, they learned the festival made even more than they hoped.

Revenues increased 22 percent from 2009 to 2010, and the annual event surpassed its financial goal for the year, according to festival officials. They set a $2.67 million target for ticket sales but pulled in about $2.73 million.

The festival sold more than 70,000 tickets for about 145 events spread over 17 days, officials said. The Festival Finale at Middleton Place alone attracted more than 3,000 people for string band music by the Carolina Chocolate Drops and fireworks over the Ashley River.

Spoleto finished in 2008 with a $372,000 deficit — the first in 13 years — and an $89,000 deficit last year. Organizers hope to wrap up 2010 in the black.

Tickets for the 2011 festival, which runs May 27 through June 12, start selling in January.