City staff reported July 7 that the College Place Freedom Festival this year was strongly attended and well received, featuring Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks in a community meet-and-greet and new vendor recruitment strategies intended to increase retail participation.

Miss Garcia told the commission Kenneth Rooks met residents, signed shirts and spent hours engaging with the community. Staff characterized the Olympian’s visit as historic for the valley and said some attendees were emotionally moved when meeting him. The city’s vendor recruitment this year emphasized retail vendors rather than informational booths; staff said roughly 70 vendors signed up over the 17-week farmer’s market season and that the festival vendor approach was part of a larger effort to increase retail presence at city events.

On the fireworks display, staff noted the show was well-produced but its pacing left gaps between launches, causing some attendees to think the show had ended and to leave early. Commissioner Doug Case asked about the fireworks pacing; staff said the city will seek a more tightly paced show next year while acknowledging Columbia REA’s continued sponsorship.

Miss Garcia also reviewed upcoming events: a movie-in-the-park series (Top Gun this weekend, Wicked in August, ET in September, and plans to reschedule Ferngully), a trunk-or-treat for Halloween and an expanded holiday market/winterfest. Staff said the city aims to run a larger retail-focused bazaar for the holiday season than in prior years.

Staff also reported continued farmer’s market growth, with the cited figure of about 70 vendors signing up across the market’s 17-week run; attendance numbers varied week to week. Staff said they will pursue marketing to increase attendance and noted outreach to recruit tribal vendors following a recent powwow.

The commission received the reports and asked follow-up questions; staff thanked Columbia REA for long-term sponsorship of the fireworks and described the festival as a community success.