McMinnville board approves downtown event street closures and new 'Tiny Town' parade

The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved multiple requests for downtown event closures and new events for the remainder of 2025.

Councilors approved an Autumn Street Fair change that will close South Court Square at 5 p.m. and move part of the Main Street closure to 7:30 a.m. (earlier than previously scheduled) to allow staff time to clear parked vehicles before vendors arrive. Staff said the half‑hour adjustment is intended to reduce conflicts between parked cars and arriving vendors.

The board also approved the Farm‑to‑Table event at the farmers market; the staff presentation noted the Farm‑to‑Table item did not require road closures. Dates in staff remarks included both August and September references in discussion; the packet lists the event but the exact date shown in the public discussion was not specified on the record.

Separately, the board approved a new Tiny Town Christmas parade scheduled for Dec. 19, 2025, on South Court Square. Staff said the parade would be limited to 25 decorated wagons, start around 6 p.m., close South Court Square at 5 p.m. for setup, and should finish by about 8 p.m. Organizers told the board they will encourage lighted wagons and will coordinate safety planning with the police department prior to the event.

Motions to approve the Farm‑to‑Table and Tiny Town events were moved and seconded (Farm‑to‑Table: motion by Sally Brock, second by Rachel Kirby; Tiny Town: motion by Steve Harvey, second by Deidra Dunlap) and approved by voice vote. The board had brief verbal discussion about merchant impacts and logistics; staff said they had notified businesses and would follow up closer to event dates.