Burlington Riverfront Entertainment is entering another year of exciting programming at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

BRE Executive Director Matt Brown said the entertainment that attracts the biggest crowds isn’t necessarily the ones that the auditorium was designed for – specifically concerts. Brown told the Burlington Rotary Club Monday that events like Snow Bull, and the annual Haunted Auditorium are a bigger draw.

The weekend preceding Brown’s presentation Monday, a concert by rapper Lil’ Xan on Friday and MMA Tru Rev were held at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

BRE manages three city owned properties – Burlington Memorial Auditorium, The Port of Burlington and the Depot. Brown said the Auditorium and the Port are busy most of the time between events and rentals. The Depot once again had no rental activity. Brown said that property is beautiful but problematic because it is also open to the public and there is no security to safeguard any items a renter would bring to the Depot. “If you rent it you are going to have to stay there with your stuff,” Brown said.

All three spaces are available for private rentals for weddings, receptions, graduation parties, and showers.

BRE contracts with the City of Burlington to manage all three properties, and Brown said the cost to the city is less than half of what Burlington paid VenueWorks to manage the auditorium only.

The city pays $175,000 per year to BRE and in return receives 20% of the rental fees at all three properties. Brown said that fee was waived last year because of inflation, and BRE will probably ask for it to be waived again when it meets with the city council in March.

Brown said the BRE organization is taking steps to increase the level of security at events, including implementing a clear bag policy. Bags are required to be smaller, clutch size purses or a clear bag where contents can be observed.

There is also an increased police presence at events. Brown said they hire extra security from the Burlington Police Department.

Summer Concert Series in June and Heritage Days in September, and Friday Fest events are free music events that BRE hosts yearly. Other events hosted at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium that are free to the public and where rental fees are waived include the local law enforcement National Night Out event, the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots distribution and Safe Trick or Treat Night. In all, Brown said BRE waived $20,000 in rental fees in 2024 for community events.

Upcoming events on the BRE schedule includes an installment of Comedy Thursday with April Macie.

The Carden Circus comes to town on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. under the Burlington Memorial Auditorium Big Top.

The Crimestoppers annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Party, featuring Jive Radio is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22.

March features one of BRE’s more popular annual events – Snowbull when the Auditorium floor becomes a rodeo ring. Snowbull will be held on March 6-8. Tickets for all BRE events are available at the auditorium box office, which is open 10:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and one hour before all scheduled events. Tickets can also be purchased online at the BRE website – burlingtonriverfront.org.