Anthony Pastore, chair of the Village of Oswego Culture & Arts Commission, proposed a $16,000 budget for 2026 that would keep spending roughly flat from 2025 while adding a new nighttime lantern walk and other small projects.

Pastore told the committee Oct. 21 that the commission seeks $6,000 to repeat its downtown student art banner program (“Look Up Oswego”), $4,500 to launch a lantern walk proposed by Michelle (last name not specified), $3,500 for utility box painting, and smaller amounts for signage and the "Little Free Library" expansion.

"We're proposing a new lantern walk, which is a nighttime festival," Pastore said. "It's very beautiful, very, you know, engages the community, you know, after the sun goes down." Michelle described the event as a low‑cost, multi‑generational evening festival that would use LED lanterns rather than open flame and would seek partnerships with local schools, businesses and the park district.

Commissioners and trustees asked logistical questions about ownership and permission for utility box painting and whether the park district would run a companion night‑time farmers market; Pastore and Michelle said organizers are still exploring permissions and partners. On small infrastructure items, the commission proposed a $25,000 total request that includes the new projects and ongoing items such as the Little Free Library program.

Trustees praised the lantern walk concept as a potential signature event for Oswego and suggested seeking cultural partners to broaden programming and education. Pastore said the event could be set for October 2026 and that organizers plan to hold workshops and outreach so schools and community groups can make lanterns in advance.

The commission did not request a net increase from last year’s allocation once staff clarified the total; Pastore said the 2026 ask is flat with 2025 after adjustments. The commission also noted that some proposed work, such as painting utility boxes, will require permission where boxes are owned by outside providers.