Board approves fifth annual Peru Visual Arts Festival permit for May 9

The Peru Board of Public Works unanimously approved a request from organizers Marlene Mickelson and Patrick Redman to hold the fifth annual Peru Visual Arts Festival on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the west side of the courthouse square.

Mickelson and Redman asked to reserve three parking spaces for a food truck, place porta-potties near the festival footprint and request temporary electrical service through Peru Utilities. They said county commissioners had approved the use of the courthouse lawn again for demonstrating artists and a festival mural, but that construction on the courthouse could require moving festival elements to the Main Street side; organizers asked for location flexibility and promised to provide cones for blocked parking spaces.

Chief logistical matters — porta-potty placement and temporary electrical hookups — were clarified: temporary electrical service must be arranged with Peru Utilities' utility service board, while porta-potty siting will return to the Board of Works for final location approval if needed. The board thanked the organizers for their work and approved the request by motion.

Mickelson also described a proposed monument/time capsule tied to America's 250 commemorations and said youth and People's Choice art winners will be included in the capsule to be opened in 50 years.