Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $185,000 in hotel-occupancy tax funds for 2025 Food & Wine Fest
Summary
The council authorized $185,000 in HOT funds to the Fredericksburg Chamber for the 2025 Food & Wine Festival; Chamber representatives said they have formed a 501(c)(3) and intend to direct proceeds toward local charitable and preservation goals in future years.
The Fredericksburg City Council voted to award $185,000 in hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) funds to the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce to support the 2025 Food & Wine Festival.
Haley and Jim, representing the Chamber, described plans to expand the festival into a multi-day event that includes a July preview week and an expanded October festival with educational programming, a street dinner, a barrel auction and a main Saturday tasting. The Chamber said it has submitted 501(c)(3) paperwork to the IRS, established a bank account for the nonprofit entity and plans for the nonprofit to donate at least $50,000 per year to local charities; event proceeds are intended, in part, to support Market Square preservation through future transfers, though no specific donation schedule was finalized.
Chamber representatives outlined marketing and operational plans that include targeting Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas markets, placing paid print and digital advertising, partnering with media (including a planned partnership with CBS Austin), and upgrading ticketing to a platform called SquadUp. They also said they intend to invest in elevated signage, photography, videography and entertainment to extend the festival’s digital footprint.
A council member moved to approve the request and it was seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
