NORWAY – The Norway Summer Festival will get a makeover for 2005 after losing money in the two previous years.

At a Summer Festival Committee meeting Friday, Brittany Stevens of Norway Downtown Revitalization said the annual event cost about $12,000 last year, but took in only $8,000 or $9,000.

“So what we’re looking for is to cut a few costs and add a few profits so we can break even nicely,” she said.

The committee discussed ideas ranging from the creation of a new festival logo to inviting more musicians to play along Main Street.

“I like the idea of there being a few musicians at corners so the music kind of fills the street,” committee member Lisa Moore said.

It was also agreed that the Poetry on the Porch portion of the festival should begin earlier in the day. Last year it ran from 2 to 4 p.m.

Musicians may no longer be paid for playing at the event, the committee said, and the cost of renting space in the concurrent Norway Sidewalk Art Show may increase from $40 to $50.

Also, the committee agreed to look into grant opportunities and business sponsorships to help offset the festival costs.

The 2005 summer festival is scheduled for July 9, Stevens said.

The work of George Howe, a renowned naturalist and mineralogist who discovered and named watermelon tourmaline, will be the featured. The committee discussed the possibility of holding workshops on precious gems and a lecture on Howe.

The committee also discussed asking artist Duncan Slade for permission to reproduce a painting of Main Street for use on a postcard advertising the summer festival. In addition, members agreed to look into making and selling posters or T-shirts with the print.

Even with talk of such money-making opportunities, Moore was sure to point out that the purpose is to cover the cost of the festival, not bring in profits.

She also encouraged the committee to focus on improving the existing festival rather than expanding.