Imperial City Council approves 2025–26 events lineup, drops July 4 FreedomFest

The Imperial City Council approved the city's 2025—26 signature-events schedule on a 4-0 vote and removed a proposed July 4 FreedomFest from the lineup, council members and staff said during a meeting focused on the city's special-events program.

City events staff presented the recommended schedule and background on changes to longstanding events, and council members debated costs, vendor participation and staff overtime before voting to approve the lineup without the July 4 event.

Lopez, a city events staff member, told the council that Market Days and the other signature events are a long-running quality-of-life program and that vendors have raised concerns when the series has fewer dates. "These events go a long way in giving [employees] a little bit of extra money in their pocket," Lopez said while outlining logistics and vendor feedback.

The staff presentation said ColorFest (previously in April) produced low attendance and vendor turnout in recent years and was recommended for removal from the regular schedule. Council members discussed…