Committee outlines guardrails for 2027 Community Days, holds $7,500 allocation

The Parks Committee discussed goals and operational guardrails for the 2027 Community Days festival and left the current line item of $7,500 in place while asking staff to gather cost estimates for options that would extend hours or add larger bands.

The Chair opened discussion noting committee members wanted clarity on audience, activities and staffing. Committee members suggested a one-day event timed from midday into the evening if a band is scheduled. "We're thinking fall, I believe," the Chair said when members discussed timing. Members proposed child-focused activities (magician, petting zoo, train rides), food trucks and vendor craft fairs as likely attractions and weighed whether to contract an outside organizer.

A member noted that an outside organizer had previously handled setup and vendor coordination and retained most vendor fees, donating a share to the village; using such a partner could reduce staff workload but would change revenue flows. Staff and members stressed the need to confirm whether village staff have capacity to run a larger vendor event in-house. The committee directed staff to return with vendor, staffing and band cost estimates so the group can decide whether to expand the event scope when finalizing the 2027 budget.