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Port Richey committee proposes Dec. 5 tree lighting and Dec. 6–7 waterfront market; vendor rules and safety planning discussed
Summary
The committee tentatively scheduled a tree-lighting ceremony for Dec. 5 and a waterfront holiday market Dec. 6–7, and discussed vendor fees, a deposit/reporting requirement for gross sales, public-safety staffing, and family programming including a toy drive and Santa visit.
The Port Richey events committee laid out preliminary plans for a holiday season program that would begin with a tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 5 and continue with a waterfront market and family programming on Dec. 6–7.
The committee discussed timing to avoid conflicts with nearby communities: several neighboring towns hold tree lightings and boat parades in early December, and members suggested Dec. 5 for a standalone lighting so the market could run Dec. 6–7 alongside the local boat parade. "Let's think about lighting it up on the fifth," the committee chair said during the discussion; Vice chairwoman Caroline Gonzales replied, "I like that idea."
Members reviewed vendor logistics and revenue controls. Committee participants proposed a vendor-application revision to require a deposit that would be returned once post-event gross-sales reporting was submitted to the city for state reconciliation. Fee examples discussed included $25–50 for craft vendors and higher charges (possibly $50–100) for food trucks or high-volume vendors; organizers proposed limiting certain vendor types (for example, only a few food trucks) to control variety and crowding.
Public-safety and operational details were emphasized: porta-potties, EMS/first-aid presence, police and fire coverage, barricade placement and park closure procedures were all raised as necessary for a multi-day market. Committee members also discussed entertainment — a Friday-night movie and live music through the weekend with a short concert block on Sunday to close the market — and children’s programming such as ornament-making, Santa visits and a toy-drive collection for local families.
Committee members agreed to firm dates, start vendor outreach and draft an updated vendor application and deposit policy. Staff were assigned to coordinate barricades and power logistics, and the committee set follow-up meetings to finalize vendors and sponsorship opportunities. No formal city ordinance or fee schedule was adopted during the meeting; the proposals remain subject to staff implementation and any required city approvals.
