Committee readies volunteers and program elements for Gateway to the Globe and Branch Arts Live

The Arts & Culture Committee received event updates and volunteer requests for two upcoming community events. The Gateway to the Globe festival will be held March 28 from 4–9 p.m. with roughly 14 performers in short sets, multiple food vendors, a schools-created gallery, a kids zone and interactive activities; the subcommittee asked boards to staff a shared tent and encouraged members to sign up as volunteers.

Staff said marketing materials and QR-code surveys are in place and volunteers from the committee are welcome; flyers and stickers were distributed at the meeting for members to hand out. A separate event, Branch Arts Live, is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2026; staff asked committee members to consider what additional, manageable visual-arts elements (for example live painting or a resident market) the committee could add.

Staff named Ashley Flores as the event liaison (with Dawn as a backup contact while Flores is out) and said Ashley will handle layout, electrical and site logistics; volunteers or committee members who want to help with programming should coordinate with Dawn. The committee discussed activating Gussy Field Park near city hall for live demonstrations during Branch Arts Live and noted timing and lighting will affect evening programming.

Fish and Fun was announced for April 25 (8–11 a.m.) and committee members were invited to volunteer. No formal event approvals were required at this meeting; staff will continue to coordinate logistics and return event updates as needed.