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Commission names Merrick Festival caroling competition an official city event and commits annual support
Summary
After 38 years as a privately run program, Coral Gables commissioners voted to make the school‑choir Merrick Festival caroling competition an official city event and to provide a $10,000 annual city contribution plus in‑kind services; organizers said the festival raises money for schools and draws thousands each holiday season.
Coral Gables commissioners voted Jan. 14 to designate the long‑running Merrick Festival caroling competition an official city event and to provide annual city support, including $10,000 per year plus permit‑fee waivers and in‑kind services.
Sally Baumgartner, who founded and has run the youth choir festival for nearly four decades, told the commission the event showcases public and private school music programs and funnels money back to school choirs. “We just celebrated our 38th performance of the caroling competition… The money that we raise for the competition outside of what it costs to produce it all goes to the schools,” Baumgartner said.
Commissioners and city staff said the festival has become a major downtown attraction that benefits local businesses and strengthens the city’s holiday programming. The updated resolution, shared with commissioners before the vote, notes the city will provide $10,000 annually and a package of in‑kind services; staff asked that that funding be designated separately from the city’s annual cultural grants. Commissioners voted to move forward and asked organizers to meet with city events staff to finalize an annual event agreement.
Why it matters: The festival draws families and shoppers to downtown Coral Gables during the holiday season; the city designation creates a predictable revenue and permitting package for the event while maintaining its school‑fundraising mission.
What’s next: City staff will draft a formal event agreement spelling out the city’s in‑kind commitments, permitting, insurance and public‑safety support. Organizers and city staff also discussed possible future expansions to reach larger audiences using city partners and downtown venues.
