Committee says festival logistics improved but vendor turnout lagged

Committee members reviewed the recent International Arts & Crafts Festival and said the event’s logistics and stage attendance improved from the previous year. "I think the setup was pretty good this year," one member said, and speakers noted the community stage attracted larger crowds than in prior seasons, including "a dozen Navy people in the seats for the first performer." The committee praised performers and costumes but flagged sparse vendor turnout.

Members said vendor numbers were down and recommended moving some booths to fill open space in front of the community stage to encourage foot traffic and a steadier audience. One participant recalled gaps between performers that volunteers and local youth council members helped fill, and the committee asked staff to check last year’s vendor outreach and grant offsets that helped defray festival costs.