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Council reviews expansion plan for 2026 Star-Spangled Carnival; Friday pay-night proposed, Saturday free as in prior years
Summary
City staff proposed a larger 2026 carnival for the America 250 weekend: four additional large rides, more vendor trailers, an extra night of paid access on Friday and the traditional free Saturday. Council asked for a security plan early next year; staff will present details before next July 4 preparations.
City staff asked the Huber Heights City Council at its Sept. 16 work session to advance a contract to expand the 2026 Star-Spangled Carnival in celebration of America 250 and the July Fourth holiday.
The staff presentation said the same contractor from the prior year would operate a larger carnival with four additional major rides, three additional restroom units and more food trailers. The contractor also offered to operate a Friday-night session that would be pay-to-ride via wristbands; Saturday would remain free for attendees, as in recent years.
"They'll also add 3 more bathhouses and a couple more of the carnival food trailers. And they also have offered to operate on Friday night," a city presenter said. "That will be pay to play on Friday night, but on Saturday, it'll be free as always."
Council members pressed staff on safety and security planning given the larger footprint. Councilmember Anita asked when the council would see security measures; staff said an in-depth plan — developed with police and fire — will be presented early in 2026 as the city prepares for the July 4 celebration.
Staff reported the city typically covers ride costs on the Saturday event; the Friday session would be an optional, wristband-based paid session. Staff did not have a final wristband price; they said the operator usually sets that fee. The city also provided attendance figures from this year: "We had over 20,000 people in the park, at firework time," staff said, with daytime attendance around 5,000–6,000 coming and going.
Councilmembers said they supported progressing the contract to the Monday meeting for consideration and emphasized the need for a finalized security plan before the event.
The council agreed to move the contract forward for Monday’s agenda so members can review the contract language and later hear the security plan.
