Organizers of the 2025 Good Neighbor Festival told the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District board that the festival’s move to the Middleton High School "South Beach" grounds was well received and that attendance and fundraising for partner nonprofits were among the best years on record.

The festival president said Friday night was slow but overall the site layout — combining carnival, art fair and stage — "flowed wonderfully" and that the weather aided turnout. He said the parade passed the festival grounds for the first time this year and that organizers hope to build on that in future years.

Organizers reported accommodating neighbors who raised concerns: two pregnant residents were offered overnight lodging through a sponsorship agreement with a local hotel. Middleton Police told organizers that no incidents — such as driving while intoxicated or fighting — were directly tied to the festival. The police did, however, flag a safety concern about cars parked close to the perimeter: officers recommended stronger perimeter protections to guard against a potential medical or accidental vehicle movement onto festival grounds.

Post-event action items identified by organizers include engaging a turf-repair specialist and contracting a company to clean the parking lot after an oil leak from a ride. Organizers said both will be addressed by February. They asked the board to consider allowing use of district grounds again next year; the board said it would discuss the request at a future meeting.

Board members thanked organizers and district staff for the partnership and assistance. The board indicated it will take up the request to host the festival at the high school grounds at an upcoming meeting and emphasized the district’s interest in being a good community neighbor.