Event organizers plan new hours and adjustments for upcoming winter festival

The Economic Development Committee of the Town Council of St. John, Indiana, convened on June 11, 2025, to discuss plans for upcoming community events and necessary modifications to local ordinances. The meeting focused primarily on preparations for a winter event, with an emphasis on improving the overall experience for vendors and attendees.

The committee expressed a goal to finalize arrangements by fall, ensuring that promotional materials could be distributed early. Members noted that there were no significant changes from previous years, but the intention was to enhance the event's scale and quality. Discussions included the need to adjust the event's hours to accommodate both vendor setup and attendee participation.

The proposed hours for the event are likely to be from 9 AM to 2 PM, as this timing was deemed optimal based on past attendance patterns. Committee members highlighted that starting earlier would allow for better foot traffic, while also preventing vendors from packing up in the dark, which had been an issue in previous years.

To facilitate these changes, the committee acknowledged the need to modify existing ordinances. Plans were made to draft these modifications in the coming month, with the intention of presenting them to the council for approval in future meetings.

Additionally, the committee briefly touched on the topic of Small Business Saturday, indicating that further discussions would take place regarding its organization.

In summary, the meeting concluded with a clear path forward for the winter event, focusing on enhancing vendor experiences and ensuring a successful turnout for the community. The committee plans to reconvene to finalize the ordinance modifications and continue discussions on event logistics.