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Council approves entrance signage and tweaks for Middleburg Day, expands farmers market plan
Summary
Council approved modest entrance signage for seasonal promotion of the farmers market, directed staff to explore banners and other promotions, and previewed plans for an expanded farmers market and Middleburg Day on May 30.
The Middleburg Town Council approved installing seasonal entrance signage to highlight the town's farmers market and asked staff to explore additional banner and wayfinding options.
Town staff described a stepped approach for marketing the farmers market: updated tent layout along the arcade to open parking, extended market hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., targeted social-media outreach, vendor recruitment, and low-cost seasonal entrance signs on the town's existing wayfinding structures. Staff said the two new entrance signs would cost just under $1,000 total and be installed seasonally from April through October.
Council debate centered on the difference between town-sponsored, seasonal community promotion and private business advertising. The mayor's views opposing the use of the entrance sign for what he characterized as promotional messaging were noted by staff; council members ultimately approved the signs by voice vote. Council also directed staff to research lamppost banners and placeholder banners for the town's light posts to increase visibility for the market and related events.
Staff described operational changes for the farmers market: vendor tents will be placed along the arcade with picnic tables and shade to create a more visible, family-friendly space and to free up parking in the rear. The council also reviewed a schedule of related community events: Middleburg Day is set for Friday, May 30, 5–9 p.m., with a tented plan for shade in the parking area, a reduced shuttle schedule and vendor and catering arrangements already in progress.
The council approved the signage motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition and asked staff to return with implementation details and any banner-cost options.
