Council gives preliminary approval for Strawberry Fest to return to Main Street

Waupaca — The Waupaca Area Chamber and Visitor Bureau presented a proposal to relocate Strawberry Fest back to Main Street and the council gave preliminary approval for proposed street closures on March 3.

Jeff Anderson, the chamber’s president and CEO, outlined a plan to line booths down the center of Main Street while placing additional vendors, food trucks and tents on side streets; the proposed closure footprint would run from the north edge of Badger to the north side of Granite with a limited half-block closure on Union for a food tent. Anderson described the plan as a proposal, not a formal request, and said the chamber will work with department heads and downtown businesses before returning with a formal closure request in April.

Anderson said the chamber’s goal is to highlight downtown businesses and open festival duties to additional community organizations. The proposal includes using the city hall and library parking lots for carnival staging on Friday and Saturday to limit disruption.

Councilmembers asked about access for businesses such as the foundry at Granite and North Main and suggested directional signage and traffic routing to maintain access. Police Chief Pete Krager said the plan is similar to a previous Halloween event and that staff will continue coordination on safety and traffic management.

Mayor Smith moved and the council voted to give preliminary approval to the street-closure concept pending the chamber’s formal closure request; the vote was by voice and the motion carried.

Anderson thanked the council and said the chamber will return with a formal request and more business outreach.