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College Place lays out 2026 events calendar, adds car shows and plans vendors'liability guidance
Summary
City staff presented a full 2026 events calendar including a May 17 block party, market-in-the-park series, a June 4 mini car show and an August 20 College Place car show; council discussed vendor liability insurance requirements and guidance on council appearances at public events.
City events staff presented the 2026 calendar to the council on April 7 and highlighted new attractions and operational changes intended to broaden vendor diversity and reduce risk. Mr. Beardimple (events staff) said the block party is May 17 with about 58 vendors signed, Market in the Park begins May 28, and the city will pilot a mini car show June 4 and a larger College Place car show on August 20.
Staff asked council to mark calendars for June 4 because Walla Walla Valley Tourism will bring a delegation; the June 4 market event will feature a 'mini' car-show focused near the food-truck area. The August 20 car show will expand the market's footprint on the lawn and aims for a larger display. "Vendors can sign up. If you got a hot rod and you want to sign up, sign up," the staff presentation said.
Council and staff discussed vendor liability insurance for the farmers market. Mr. Beardimple and the HR Manager (Amber) described practical options: vendors can obtain low-cost annual general-liability certificates from local carriers or third-party providers (Hub Insurance or Lloyd's) and add College Place Farmers Market as an additional insured via a certificate of liability insurance. Amber said some providers can issue certificates that cover a vendor for a year and that staff can prepare vendor-packet guidance and website links to simplify the process.
Councilmembers also talked about how to appear at public events without creating an inadvertent quorum. City clerk Andrea St. Clair recommended routinely posting a notice that council members may be present at events to avoid procedural ambiguity when multiple members attend for public engagement.
Staff said marketing for events will be funded via LTAC and managed by Jenna Marketing Solutions, which will produce reels, photos and a posting calendar. Columbia REA gave a verbal commitment to fund fireworks at the Freedom Festival but the contract remained pending at the time of the workshop. No formal council actions or votes were recorded; staff will follow up with vendor guidance, event sign-up pages and notices of potential quorums as needed.
