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Aldermen approve $53,000 tourism contingency for Downtown Branson Fall Fest
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance authorizing $53,000 from a tourism contingency fund for a proposed October Fall Fest in historic Downtown Branson. The Branson Lakes Area Chamber & Convention and Visitors Bureau will manage the funds; city leaders stressed the award is a one-time commitment and not an ongoing annual guarantee.
The Board of Aldermen voted 6-0 to approve bill 65-73, authorizing the use of $53,000 in tourism contingency funds for a Fall Fest in historic Downtown Branson. The ordinance, introduced as a first reading, authorizes a funding agreement with the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau for a marketing and event package planned for early October 2025.
The chamber's representative, Heather Herman, described the plan as a downtown-focused event meant to showcase local businesses and said the CVB would manage the funds and promotional work. "We don't want any business to have to put forth any additional funds. This shouldn't cost them to do business on that weekend," Herman said, outlining activities including storefront decorating contests, a scavenger-hunt-style passport program and small acoustic music pockets around downtown.
Mayor Larry Milton supported funding but urged caution about an ongoing commitment. "I'm hesitant to have this perpetual commitment to use $53,000 out of the marketing funds," Milton said, stressing the board should treat the allocation as a one-time appropriation and not an automatic annual line item.
Aldermen who spoke during the discussion praised the CVB's planning and the event concept. Concerns raised by board members and the mayor centered on timing: the CVB proposes the festival for the first weekend in October, while the city has set an October 15 target for substantially completing downtown Main Street work. Mayor Milton asked that event messaging avoid suggesting construction will be fully complete on the festival date to reduce possible criticism if finishing work or lighting is delayed.
Herman and multiple aldermen said the $53,000 request was presented as a single total; the contract before the board did not tie the appropriation to specific line items. "The total amount" was the only figure included in the ordinance, staff confirmed.
The board approved the ordinance on a voice vote after discussion; aldermen noted the vote authorizes the funds but does not obligate future contingency allocations for the same event. The CVB said it will measure visitation and economic impact and aims to make the festival an annual downtown event if the first-year pilot succeeds.
The ordinance was introduced as bill 65-73 and approved on first reading with a 6-0 result.
