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Council approves $2,500 special-events grant for Rally Middleburg vintage-car festival; councilor on 7 Loaves abstains
Summary
The council approved a $2,500 grant to support the Rally Middleburg vintage automobile festival with a roll-call vote; Council member Kevin abstained because he serves on the board of 7 Loaves, an event beneficiary if excess funds remain.
The Town Council voted to approve a $2,500 special-events grant to support the Rally Middleburg vintage automobile festival and related downtown activities.
The town staff and the Middleburg Arts and Community Events Committee recommended $2,500 of support (the applicant originally requested $5,000). During discussion the organizers and council clarified that the $2,500 is intended to offset event expenses in town; any surplus funds raised by the event organizers would be separate and could be donated privately to 7 Loaves but should not be characterized as town grant funds directed to that nonprofit.
Pam Curran moved approval of the $2,500 grant; the motion was seconded (second not named on the record). The roll-call vote recorded in the meeting transcript: Vice Mayor Bernard — Aye; Council member Curran — Aye; Council member Daley — Aye; Council member Jacobs — Aye; Council member Leonard Morgan — Aye; Council member Pearson — Aye; Council member Kevin — Abstain (Kevin stated he is a member of 7 Loaves’ board and recused himself from the vote). The motion passed with a majority of votes in favor.
Organizers said the festival’s on-street portion is estimated to cost approximately $10,000; the town grant is intended to offset part of those local expenses. Presenters said the event also includes a separate track component at Summit Point; registration fees for cars and sponsorships are expected to cover additional costs. Organizers said they plan to cap town participation at 30 cars for the initial year.
Council members advised organizers to use the town grant for the event expenses listed in the application and not to use town grant language that implies the town is directly donating to a nonprofit. Organizers said they would follow that guidance.
The council’s approval included standard conditions for special-event grants; a formal disbursement and any remaining administrative details will be handled by town staff as part of grant processing.
