Trustees pause BrimFest; approve summer festival series and set Swamp Town Festival date

The Brimfield Township Board of Trustees voted to pause the traditional BrimFest for 2025 and approved a plan to run a series of smaller community events instead, including a Swamp Town Festival on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, and an expanded Touch-a-Truck program. The motion passed by roll call: Mike — yes; Sue — yes; Nick — yes.

Cassie, parks and recreation coordinator, told trustees the committee’s review of 2024 costs and new vendor quotes showed the cost to rent carnival rides for Friday and Saturday would exceed the board-approved $30,000 festival budget. A four-ride Saturday-only quote from the vendor A & S Party Rentals came back at roughly $33,452, and full two-day ride packages were higher. “Because these costs don’t support the approved budget, contracts can’t be signed until additional funding is secured,” Cassie said, showing the committee’s estimates.

Cassie proposed several options: keep a full BrimFest if sponsorships and wristband revenue covered the gap; run rides on one day only; or pivot to a series of smaller events that cost less to stage. The parks committee recommended a summer festival series that would include Touch-a-Truck (midsummer), a senior celebration, a Glow Night and a Swamp Town heritage festival in September. “If we proceed with the rides as quoted, we would lack funds for vans, entertainers, the magical train and other amenities,” Cassie said.

Trustees and community members at the meeting discussed the event’s role in maintaining community character, the effects of losing volunteer capacity since COVID and the need for a chamber of commerce or other volunteer organization to support large-scale events. Trustee Nick and others urged keeping BrimFest long-term, but said a temporary shift in 2025 would allow the township to rebuild sponsor relationships and plan a larger event for 2026. Trustee Mike said focusing on a smaller set of events rather than a single sprawling festival could produce higher-quality experiences and make sponsorship outreach more effective.

The board voted to adopt the parks committee’s recommendation: pause BrimFest for 2025, hold the Swamp Town Festival on Sept. 13, 2025, expand Touch-a-Truck and stage additional small summer events within the existing $30,000 budget unless sponsorships are secured. The trustees asked Cassie to report regularly on sponsorship progress and vendor contracts so the board can revisit scope if funding changes.

Cassie also notified trustees the Lions Club would not organize the parade in 2025, and that fireworks costs increased from $6,500 to $7,500. The parks committee will continue sponsorship outreach and vendor negotiations and will return with updates to the trustees.