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Board debriefs Country Christmas: attendance estimates up, expenses and donations reported
Summary
Board members debriefed the Dec. Country Christmas event: staff reported high attendance (roughly 794 devices captured; estimated 1,500 people including children), $31,115 in event expenses and $14,245 in sponsored donations; Council approved a higher farmers market budget for next fiscal year.
The Parks and Open Space Board reviewed the Country Christmas event from Dec. 26, 2024, reporting strong turnout, higher costs and a significant donations haul that helped offset expenses.
A board update detailed activities — tree lighting, Santa's workshop, a trackless train, skating, children’s crafts and a holiday market — and noted high use of family attractions that drew crowds. Staff reported automated counts of approximately 794 cell phones on site and estimated total attendance (including children who may not carry phones) at roughly 1,500 people. Event expenses were reported at about $31,115, with sponsored donations totaling $14,245.
Board members praised staff execution but noted operational lessons: food-truck placement could be improved for visibility and vendors reported intermittent cell coverage that hindered mobile payment acceptance in some park areas. The board said it will seek to shift some staffing and logistics lessons into future events and has requested staff to plan donations and a higher farmers-market budget; the city council increased the following fiscal year allotment for the market to $25,000.
Next steps: staff will refine food-truck placement and power logistics for future events, consider more robust on-site connectivity options where feasible, and continue to pursue sponsorships and donations to offset event expenses.
