Port Richey committee finalizes Dec. 5–7 holiday festival; waives vendor fees for nonprofits

The Port Richey City events committee on Thursday finalized logistics for a Dec. 5–7 holiday festival at Waterfront Park and City Hall, agreeing to vendor placement, inspection schedules and safety rules, and voting to waive the $25 vendor fee for nonprofit organizations that participate.

The vote came after Vice Chair Carolyn Gonzales detailed vendor signups and day‑of requirements. “We have 22 vendors, currently,” Gonzales said during the meeting, adding that organizers expect additional applicants and that food trucks must be set up on the gravel by 4 p.m. Friday ahead of a 5 p.m. fire inspection.

Why it matters: The three‑day festival will concentrate foot traffic at the pavilion and along the waterfront and includes an evening tree‑lighting, a public story reading and a movie. The committee’s waiver will lower the cost barrier for local nonprofits to attend, while requiring safeguards the city says are intended to limit liability and protect public health.

Committee action and terms The committee approved a motion to waive vendor fees for nonprofits; the motion was moved by Gonzales and seconded by Member Andrew Butterfield. The motion passed by voice vote (the chair declared, “The motion carries”). Members clarified that nonprofits that sell goods or charge for activities should remit an agreed percentage (discussed at about 15%) of sales to the city or otherwise comply with the committee’s terms.

Logistics and safety checks Committee members reviewed the event schedule and day‑of instructions circulated to vendors: Friday setup begins at 4:00 p.m.; Friday’s event opens at 6:00 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday have morning setup windows and inspections with later start/end times. Gonzales listed several confirmed vendors, including food trucks, tent vendors and non‑food artisans, and said some vendors will attend all three days.

Organizers also discussed a late request from Third Chance Animal Rescue to operate pony rides, a petting zoo and face painting. Committee members said any animal attractions must provide proof of insurance and veterinary records and comply with state or local rules; the committee did not approve the petting zoo until those documents are submitted.

Insurance and liability The committee reviewed a quote for event‑specific insurance for the three days and debated whether to purchase a separate one‑time policy or to work with the Nature Coast Chamber of Commerce to provide coverage for vendors that lack certificates of insurance. Members favored coordinating with the Chamber while continuing to require individual vendor insurance or Chamber coverage for vendors without COIs.

Other details City staff and volunteers will finalize a site map to place vendors, porta‑potties and loading zones and to keep vehicle movement limited during event hours. The committee also discussed signage distribution, volunteer tasks, and program timing (lights on about 6:30 p.m., story reading around 6:45–7:00 p.m., movie near 7:30 p.m.).

What’s next Organizers will confirm pending vendor applications, collect any required insurance or vet records, and finalize the site plan before Friday’s setup. The committee will not require a vendor fee from organizations classified as nonprofits provided they follow the committee’s conditions on sales and documentation.