The Tavares City Council on Aug. 6 voted to support a slate of events recognizing the city’s 145th anniversary, including a Central Florida Museum Sharing Symposium, a United Congregational Church celebration, placement of a state historical marker at Smith’s Church and a weekend program at the DeVries Historical Museum.

City staff and the council’s resident historian, Councilmember Bobby Grenier, outlined planned events for the fall and said the city has budgeted roughly $1,500 to cover incidental expenses such as staff time, porta-toilet rental and light hospitality (coffee and donuts). The proposal asked the council to authorize participation and modest budget support; a motion to support the events was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Councilmembers discussed adding a guided walking tour of downtown historic buildings as an enhancement to weekend activities. Staff said dates for some elements (historical marker unveiling and museum weekend) are still to be determined. The symposium scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Plane on the Lake (Constitution Day) was identified as a meeting of museums and historic sites across a nine-county area in Central Florida.

Councilmembers emphasized the symbolic value of the anniversary for civic pride and encouraged staff to coordinate the events and logistics. The council did not attach additional funding or larger expenditures beyond the modest $1,500 estimate during the recorded discussion.

Separately, the council approved a motion to support related downtown heritage programming; no opposition was recorded for the item.