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Council authorizes Gypsy Hill Park July 4 celebration lease and Moxie Stadium baseball lease
Summary
Council approved a $1 lease for the Happy Birthday America celebration in Gypsy Hill Park (June 29–July 5) and a lease for Staunton Baseball Inc. to use Moxie Stadium May 16–Aug 9; both ordinances passed unanimously after public hearings with no opposing speakers.
Staunton City Council on April 23 unanimously approved two event-related lease ordinances: an annual lease to Happy Birthday America Incorporated for Gypsy Hill Park tied to the city’s July 4 celebration, and a seasonal lease allowing Staunton Baseball Incorporated to operate concession rights and use the baseball field at Moxie Stadium.
City attorney John Blair summarized the Happy Birthday America lease, which covers June 29 through July 5 (with an extra day for a pageant) for a $1 fee. Andrew Dietz, president of Happy Birthday America, described the group’s plans for the 250th-anniversary celebration, including a parade (capped historically around 150 entries), a kickoff and live music, and a fireworks display. Dietz said past parades have reached up to about 180 entries and that the nonprofit relies on sponsor donations to stage fireworks.
Blair then presented the Staunton Baseball lease for the Stanton Braves to use Moxie Stadium from May 16 to Aug. 9. Council held public hearings for both items, received no comments from the public or Zoom attendees, and adopted both ordinances on unanimous roll calls.
The actions were procedural approvals of annual leases; council thanked the event organizers and staff and noted the city attorney would finalize lease forms.
