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BID staff reports on holiday lighting vendor, upcoming events and pedestrian maintenance concerns
Summary
Staff praised vendor Blingle for holiday lighting support; Downtown West Bend Association previewed spring and summer events. Board asked staff to identify who is responsible for heavy spider webbing along river railings.
BID staff reported that the downtown holiday installation this past season used vendor Blingle, which staff said responded promptly to service requests and performed efficient tree take‑down.
Chris and Carissa said the city’s experience with Blingle was positive and recommended using the vendor again. The board noted some early setup hiccups and a weather‑related disruption during the holiday period but said overall the lighting drew visitors and reflected positively on downtown.
Leona, reporting for the Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend, gave a calendar of upcoming events: Chocolate Around the Bend (VIP tastings), Spring Bling (April 5), Spring Wine Walk (April 12), Art Walk banner sponsorships (banners $100 each), farmers market starting May 17, and a Global Fest in June. Collaborative block parties will bookend the Music on Main series on May 29 and Sept. 5; sponsors named included Forte Bank, Westbury Bank, Milwaukee Tool, Pharmacal and Hanson & Company. Leona also reviewed a slate of theater and concert events through May and summer programming supported by the West Bend Community Foundation.
Separately, multiple board members raised a maintenance concern about abundant spider webs on river railings and pedestrian bridges that they said impede use and detract from downtown appearance. The board asked Carissa to find which city department is responsible for removal and to report back at the next meeting.
