Rustic Bird Cage to run Witch Walk; council approves street closure and waives food-truck fees

Jane, representing the Rustic Bird Cage, told the Columbiana City Council on April 1 that she is requesting the chamber transfer management of the third annual Witch Walk to her organization and asked the council to close Main Street beginning Oct. 3 and allow vendors and a band on Oct. 4 from noon to 9 p.m.

The requested street closure start time on Friday, Oct. 3 was 3:00 a.m.; Jane said the event itself would run 12 p.m.–9 p.m. on Saturday and that the stage would be placed “at the circle like it was last year at the end of the street.” She said the Vintage Saloon will participate and that proceeds from one vendor will go to Helping Hands.

A council member asked whether the event was working with a 501(c)(3). Jane confirmed Helping Hands is involved; the council member explained that food-truck fees are waived only when a qualifying nonprofit is involved. The council amended the motion to explicitly waive food-truck fees and to allow the event as a door/outdoor event. The motion, as amended, passed on the council’s vote.

Council discussion also clarified an inconsistency in the paperwork: the original application submitted by the chamber showed a 5:00 p.m. Friday closure while the Rustic Bird Cage asked for 3:00 a.m. The council approved the earlier 3:00 a.m. start to allow stage delivery and setup, per the applicant’s explanation.

The council did not specify additional conditions in the motion; staff indicated permit, food-truck and vendor processes (including contractor/registrations and fees) would be handled through the usual permitting procedure.

The motion passed (recorded as “motion passes” in the minutes). No dollar amounts or permit fees were specified in the transcript.

The council’s action allows the Rustic Bird Cage to manage the October event and waives associated food-truck fees contingent on the stated nonprofit participation, with local permitting to be completed by city staff.