The Port Richey City events committee agreed on a preliminary plan for a three-day holiday festival Dec. 5 6 that will include a tree-lighting and movie night, a Saturday holiday market and a Sunday music program.

The plan, discussed at length after public comment from local resident Danny Phils, also accommodates a separate nonprofit event called "Somebody Cares," which has scheduled its Christmas-in-the-park toy distribution and community meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. "It's open for all people," Phils said, asking the city to coordinate use of Waterfront Park so both events can run concurrently.

Committee members said they will try to accommodate both events while minimizing conflicts for vendors and attendees. Vice Chair Gonzales praised fall events and said of the committee's outreach work, "I think it was a great turnout." Caroline, who helped draft the event flyer, said she favored the title "Holly Days on the Bayou."

Key decisions and details
- Dates and principal programming: Dec. 5 will be a family-oriented movie night and tree-lighting (park activities beginning around 6 p.m., tree lighting at about 7 p.m., movie at roughly 7:30 p.m., ending around 9:30 p.m.). Dec. 6 will be a vendor market (approx. 10 a.m. 6 p.m.) with the Somebody Cares "Christmas in the Park" activity 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Dec. 7 will continue the market and feature a music program in the evening.
- Vendors and fees (preliminary): craft/nonfood vendors $25 (weekend fee), tented food vendors $50 (weekend fee), food trucks $100 (one-time fee for the weekend). The committee also discussed the usual fire-inspection charge for food vendors (~$125) and asked staff to confirm whether any inspection fees or permits are waived or adjusted for city-sponsored events.
- Rentals and infrastructure: prior tent/table/chair rental for a weekend was reported at about $1,782. Committee members agreed staff should solicit quotes for tents, an inflatable movie screen and porta-potties and seek in-kind donations or sponsorships to reduce costs.
- Logistics and safety: Friday vendor setup will begin in late afternoon (vendors asked to be set and ready by 5 p.m. for inspections), Saturday setup at 8 a.m. for a 10 a.m. opening, and Sunday opening at 10 a.m. The committee discussed limiting Friday food vendors to about five to avoid overlap with the market on Saturday and reduce competition with nonprofit giveaways.
- Entertainment and sponsorship: the committee discussed live music for Dec. 7 and named a local performer (Rocky Bovin) as a likely booking under $1,000; it also decided to pursue sponsors (local businesses and in-kind donors such as a tree or porta-potties) and update the event sponsorship packet.

What remains to be resolved
Committee members asked staff to confirm final rental quotes, the status of fire inspections and permitting for food vendors, and to finalize a vendor application and payment process. They also asked staff to draft a park layout and vendor map and to begin outreach to vendors and sponsor prospects immediately.

Next steps and follow-up
Staff were assigned to solicit tent and porta-potty quotes, confirm music availability and update the sponsorship packet; Veronica and Salomon were asked to explore signage and banner options; Caroline and the volunteer coordinator will handle vendor outreach. The committee set a follow-up meeting to reconvene on Monday the 10th at 6 p.m. to finalize outstanding items.