IIRC in the distant past didn't Colchester Council used to put money into the Festival, I can remember us having 2 40 over games a couple of years, one of which was televised on a Tuesday at the end of August with floodlights hired.
I believe one of the reasons Essex quit Ilford was that my local Council Redbridge declined to put money in when Essex requested so the County don't play there any more which is a shame as crowds were good & the 1 day fixture always had a full house.
It always helps with Festivals if they are at the same time each season eg - Cheltenham is always in mid July, once it gets chopped & changed that is usually the beginning of the end - hopefully not for Colchester which is always enjoyable.