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City proposes $50,000 general-fund grant to revive Party in the Park concert series at Promenade Park
Summary
City economic development staff asked council to authorize a $50,000 general-fund grant to Connect Toledo to support a free, 14-week Party in the Park concert series at Promenade Park starting May 30.
The Department of Development asked Toledo City Council to authorize a $50,000 general-fund grant to Connect Toledo to support the 2025 Party in the Park summer concert series at Promenade Park.
Brandon Sellhorst, director of Economic Development, said the grant would help fund a free Friday-evening concert series designed to bring people downtown between May 30 and Aug. 29. Cheryl Dillon of Connect Toledo described a locally focused, free series featuring about 30 local bands over 14 weekends and multiple family-friendly activations such as hot-air balloons, a drone show, confetti nights, a splash pad kept open during concerts, and themed nights (bubble night, glow night). Dillon said the strategy is intended to drive attendees from the park into downtown restaurants and bars and to build predictable weekly activation.
Sellhorst said the $340,000 overall budget for the series has a proposed $50,000 city contribution; Connect Toledo is contributing $200,000 and the county was asked to contribute $60,000. Staff said the series will be free (no fenced paid events) for the lineup presented, though future national acts would require fencing and ticketing.
Organizers also described partnerships with downtown businesses, a hired professional emcee, and marketing plans intended to cross-promote weekend events, restaurants and other downtown attractions. Food trucks will be present; organizers said their programming intends to push patrons into nearby restaurants rather than provide full-meal service on site. Organizers discussed disability access and said interpreters were not yet planned but staff agreed to look into on-site interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members and Spanish-language accommodations upon request.
Security will be provided by the Toledo Police Department, staff said. Organizers requested suspension of rules (SEP) so the grant can be placed on the council docket quickly; they said the first event is May 30 and requested early approval so promotional work can accelerate. No council vote was recorded at agenda review.
