Parks board reviews Harvest Fest finances, sets May 30 date for 2026 Wine, Art & Music festival
October 16, 2025 | Taneytown, Carroll County, Maryland
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The advisory board reviewed recent events and upcoming programming on Oct. 15 and set a date for next year’s Wine, Art & Music festival.
Staff reported that Harvest Fest, held Sept. 27 at Memorial Park, drew a “good turnout” despite cool, drizzly weather. The event budgeted $6,500 and used $4,469.68, leaving $2,030.32 unspent. Lorena reported vendor fees this year totaling $13.30, and said the variety of vendors and family attractions (ponies, petting zoo, bounce houses, face‑painting) were strong draws. Board members said vendor check‑in and overall logistics went smoothly and that a scheduling conflict — makeup travel baseball games booked at the park the same day — was handled by moving those games to FSK and reallocating space for vendor parking and hay‑ride routes.
Upcoming fall events include Tales of Tawny Town and Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25 at Memorial Park from 3 to 5 p.m.; staff has secured judges and volunteers. The photography contest remains open through Nov. 1 with entries judged for nature, action and play categories; the Halloween decorating contest had 13 houses entered as of the meeting. Staff also reported Gifts & Gratitude (a guided gratitude walk) held Oct. 11 at Bollinger Park drew 11 participants and cost about $135, including small mala bead sets given to participants; staff recommended repeating the event next year in spring and fall.
For the Wine, Art & Music festival 2026, staff presented options after baseball informed the department of a large Armed Forces baseball tournament on June 6–7 and June 13–14. The board discussed two alternatives — moving the festival to Saturday, May 30 (the chosen date) or sharing park space on June 13. Members cited concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, and loss of brewery participants to a concurrent Westminster beer‑and‑barbecue event in mid‑June. The board resolved to schedule the festival for Saturday, May 30, 2026, and staff said it will confirm there are no major conflicts before beginning band booking, vendor outreach, and publicity.
On programming logistics, the board discussed band selection, the option of a DJ, the possibility of two small acoustic acts versus larger multi‑member bands to control costs and set transitions, and adding straw‑bale seating near the gazebo to encourage attendees to stay.
No formal votes on event budgets or contracts were taken at the Oct. 15 meeting; staff said they will proceed with planning for the May 30 date and marketing for the fall events.
Staff reported that Harvest Fest, held Sept. 27 at Memorial Park, drew a “good turnout” despite cool, drizzly weather. The event budgeted $6,500 and used $4,469.68, leaving $2,030.32 unspent. Lorena reported vendor fees this year totaling $13.30, and said the variety of vendors and family attractions (ponies, petting zoo, bounce houses, face‑painting) were strong draws. Board members said vendor check‑in and overall logistics went smoothly and that a scheduling conflict — makeup travel baseball games booked at the park the same day — was handled by moving those games to FSK and reallocating space for vendor parking and hay‑ride routes.
Upcoming fall events include Tales of Tawny Town and Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25 at Memorial Park from 3 to 5 p.m.; staff has secured judges and volunteers. The photography contest remains open through Nov. 1 with entries judged for nature, action and play categories; the Halloween decorating contest had 13 houses entered as of the meeting. Staff also reported Gifts & Gratitude (a guided gratitude walk) held Oct. 11 at Bollinger Park drew 11 participants and cost about $135, including small mala bead sets given to participants; staff recommended repeating the event next year in spring and fall.
For the Wine, Art & Music festival 2026, staff presented options after baseball informed the department of a large Armed Forces baseball tournament on June 6–7 and June 13–14. The board discussed two alternatives — moving the festival to Saturday, May 30 (the chosen date) or sharing park space on June 13. Members cited concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, and loss of brewery participants to a concurrent Westminster beer‑and‑barbecue event in mid‑June. The board resolved to schedule the festival for Saturday, May 30, 2026, and staff said it will confirm there are no major conflicts before beginning band booking, vendor outreach, and publicity.
On programming logistics, the board discussed band selection, the option of a DJ, the possibility of two small acoustic acts versus larger multi‑member bands to control costs and set transitions, and adding straw‑bale seating near the gazebo to encourage attendees to stay.
No formal votes on event budgets or contracts were taken at the Oct. 15 meeting; staff said they will proceed with planning for the May 30 date and marketing for the fall events.
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