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Fortville council debates festival committee to revive festivals, support farmers market
Summary
Council members discussed forming a festival committee or parks‑affiliated body to coordinate Summerfest, Winterfest and the farmers market, weighing appointment processes, volunteer capacity, compensation, vendor fees and a potential partnership with Vernon Township/Flory; members suggested an exploratory committee to produce recommendations.
Council members on Jan. 20 took up a broad discussion about reviving town festivals and strengthening the farmers market by creating a festival committee or similar body.
Council members said the town needs structure for vendor recruitment, marketing and financial oversight. Staff suggested a resolution to create a committee with specified size, appointment method and term length, and recommended a 90‑day pre‑event check‑in so the council can review plans ahead of festivals. Members debated whether the town should create a new committee, assign the work to a parks board, or form an exploratory committee to prepare recommendations.
Tom Batacio, a local vendor who identified himself to the council, urged partnership with Vernon Township and said research indicated a prospective location could see "16,000 passers by daily," which he described as helpful for market visibility. Batacio also said he can help with marketing and storytelling but does not want to run the market himself.
Members discussed funding options including modest vendor fees, grants and possible RDC or township support. Councilors noted the park will be under construction this summer, which may force a planning year and alternative venues for early events. Members suggested quickly forming an exploratory committee to lay out governance, funding and operational plans; several councilors volunteered to meet and start planning and to coordinate with existing market organizers.
Next steps included outreach to local stakeholders (Riley Festival organizers, Vernon Township, the current farmers market organizer) and a short timeline for an exploratory committee to deliver options to the council before the market season.
The discussion was exploratory; no formal action was taken at the meeting.
