INDIANAPOLIS -- Organizers of Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration said Friday that this summer's event will be just as big as any other year, even though funding from the Capital Improvement Board was cut dramatically.

While a CIB bailout could happen during a special session that Gov. Mitch Daniels will call soon, that funding would come too late for the expo, 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

With the event just two months away, tickets went on sale Friday. Summer Celebration typically attracts more than 300,000 people to Indianapolis with an array of entertaining and education events.

Organizers are concerned that financial woes could hold attendance down this year, so they're trying to pack as many inexpensive events into the schedule as possible.

Visitors can enjoy six live musical performances at the Indiana Convention Center on July 18 with an $8 dollar advanced ticket. That concert replaces the traditional single concert that cost as much as $65 a ticket last year.

"We are just really sensitive to what's going on. People are struggling right now," said Chelsea Hendon, of Indiana Black Expo.

Hendon said the CIB funding cut hurt a portion of the event's budget, but won't deter them.

"They've supported us for so many years. Obviously, we'd like to see that money stay so we can do even more for the community," she said. "We're looking at the positive and really trying to do as much as we can for the community with what we do have."

The expo runs from July 9-19.

More Info: Indiana Black Expo Web Site