Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events And Festivals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Allegan council approves 2026 fair requests and hears year-end events budget report from Positively Allegan
Summary
Council approved the Allegan County Fair’s 2026 parade and up to six concerts, granted required permissions and sign locations, and received a review of 2025 events finances showing roughly $59,000 in sponsorship revenue, about $101,100 in expenditures, and an operating deficit around $8,000; staff said council previously approved a $15,000 infusion to support Positively Allegan.
The City of Allegan on Jan. 26 granted the Allegan County Fair permission to hold its 2026 downtown parade, host up to six concerts (May–September), and use temporary directional signage in the right-of-way. City staff noted the fair requested flexibility with the noise ordinance and confirmed routine coordination with Parker and city staff; council voted to approve the fair’s calendar requests by voice vote.
Later in the meeting staff and Parker Johnson reviewed year-end finances for Positively Allegan-managed downtown events. Parker presented revenues and expenses for the calendar year 2025: roughly $59,000 in revenue from sponsorships and vendor shares, and roughly $101,100 in total expenditures as presented in the packet, producing an operating deficit of about $8,000 for the year. Parker said the group began the year with roughly $19,000 cash and that council previously approved a $15,000 one-time transfer from the general fund in October to help stabilize finances.
Parker outlined expense drivers — entertainment and band fees, safety (reserve officers, fire department presence), delivery fees for rides, and DPW involvement — and described planned cost reductions for future events such as eliminating large rides at BridgeFest while keeping lower-cost activities and business partnerships. Parker also listed event sponsors and noted examples of large donations that covered specific costs (for example, a $5,000 donation that covered fireworks and fireworks insurance at New Year’s Eve).
Council and staff framed the review as informational; there was no formal council action beyond approving the fair requests earlier in the meeting.
Sponsors and donors mentioned in the presentation included ATEC Computers, Allegan County Community Foundation, Milbacher and Sons, RCI Adventure Products, Allegan Township, Allegan Credit Union, Gordon Funeral Residence, Tibbetts Financial Consulting, and others; Parker reported about $2,600 raised so far for the Griswold fundraiser and described plans for the Art of Allegan event on March 14.
