City staff outlines framework for Saint Helena’s 150th celebration, requests budget support and fundraising

City staff updated the council on planning for Saint Helena’s sesquicentennial, commemorating the city’s incorporation in March 1876 with a series of community events across 2026. The planning committee, formed in fall 2024 and composed of community volunteers and subcommittees, presented a framework that includes a community kickoff (theme period dance/fundraiser), an official commemoration on March 24, 2026, a large summer street festival ("Cheers to a 150" theme), and an expanded parade in collaboration with the school district. Staff described four subcommittees: events planning, history & education, marketing, and fundraising/sponsorship.

The history and education subcommittee is developing year‑long programming under the theme “Saint Helena’s past, present and future.” Staff said the celebration is intended to be community‑driven, with staff support, and will tie into existing events (Fourth of July, Harvest Festival, holidays) to broaden participation. The committee will begin broader promotional outreach in summer 2025 and staff will include a budget request in the FY26 budget documents; staff also plans a fundraising/sponsorship campaign and is developing sponsorship packages.

Council members thanked staff and asked questions about timeline and outreach. Staff said planning has been underway since July (about a year), many community volunteers are engaged, and there remains capacity to add more members to the planning committee. No formal action was requested beyond informing council and inclusion of a budget request in the fiscal process.