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Council approves Orange International Street Fair agreement amid security and sustainability questions
Summary
Council approved a multi-year agreement with Orange International Street Fair to continue the Old Town event; members pressed organizers about barricade standards, possible capital purchase of meridian barriers, participant fees and vendor recycling. Vote: 6–1 with one recusal.
The City Council approved a new multi-year agreement with the Orange International Street Fair (OISF) to continue producing the annual Old Town street fair over Labor Day weekend, expanding the event footprint and updating record-retention and inspection language.
Adam Felice, OISF president, described the 2024 event as financially successful for participating nonprofit organizations despite rising costs. Staff recommended a five-year agreement with a two-year extension option and specified footprint clarifications and the ability for the police chief to scale back late-night alcohol hours if necessary.
Council members used the presentation to press for stronger security planning and long-term capital investment in road-blocking infrastructure. "We need the best-in-class barricades," Mayor Pro Tem Bilodeau said, urging the city to consider buying permanent meridian barriers rather than renting each year. Staff said meridian barricades are considered state-of-the-art but are costly (staff estimated about $6,600 per unit and a multi-million-dollar capital need to purchase full coverage), so rental remains the current practice; staff suggested seeking grants (including federal homeland-security sources) if the council wanted to pursue purchases.
Council also raised vendor, nonprofit and public-safety issues: the contract proposes 16 beer/alcohol booths, and organizers explained the fee split and the mechanics for wristband price increases (a share typically returns to nonprofits). Councilmembers asked OISF to explore improved recycling for vendors and confirmed food-safety permitting mechanisms.
The council approved the agreement 6–1 with one recusal (Council member Barrios noted a conflict of interest). City staff and OISF said they will continue to coordinate security, barrier selection and include more discussion of recycling and nonprofit support ahead of the 2025 event.
