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Miami Lakes mental health festival set for Oct. 18; organizers discuss vendors, programming and a prior safety incident
Summary
Task force members confirmed an Oct. 18 festival date, discussed invitations for crisis-response teams and presenters, vendor costs and a parks-safety incident that prompted a review of event approvals and staffing.
The Miami Lakes Mental Health Task Force confirmed plans for a Mental Health Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, discussed programming and vendors, and raised safety and logistics questions after a needle was found at a prior event.
Committee members said the standard festival hours would be roughly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and recommended inviting local crisis-response teams, Crisis Intervention Team officers (CIT), Thriving Minds and other community providers. A committee member asked that Michelle Richbaum, who distributed Narcan at a previous outreach event, be invited to present and host a table.
Organizers discussed activities and vendor pricing: a dunk tank was estimated at about $400, pumpkin pricing discussed as roughly $35 for three per family and smaller vendor charges for games; Family Food Trucks (contact: Oscar) was identified as last year’s vendor contact. Committee members also discussed paid exhibitor tables and suggested seeking sponsors to reduce costs.
Safety and operations drew sustained attention after a parks staff member removed a needle found in a bathroom at a recent event. Committee members said parks staff responded quickly and took possession of the item. Several members urged better event notification to town staff so the town manager and police can coordinate presence for future events.
Service-animal rules and park policy were clarified: a committee member said service animals must be certified and distinguished from emotional-support animals and that some park rules limit animals in certain areas. Members discussed whether certified service animals may be permitted and noted the Americans with Disabilities Act governs legal treatment of service animals.
Staff directions and next steps: staff will check whether the event is included in the town-managed events budget, confirm any town-manager approvals required and report back about park permissions and insurance or permit needs. The committee agreed to reach out to exhibitors and presenters and to include CIT and other first-responder partners in planning.
No formal votes on budgeting or permits were recorded during the meeting.
