DID board OKs NexMark planning collaboration for July 3 "Spirit of '76" event; marketing lead appointed

NexMark representatives JT Grama and Esther Chastosova presented a proposal on April 13 for a July 3 "Spirit of '76" event intended as a family‑friendly, Americana themed celebration with a main stage, live music, vendor activations and sponsorship opportunities.

JT Grama said the proposed headline time slot was 7–10 p.m. to "beat the heat" and allow a nighttime atmosphere, but the board discussed earlier start times (5–6 p.m.) to accommodate families. Grama described activations such as tie‑dye, face painting, vendor sampling and a photo opportunity and suggested defaulting to DID vendors first and opening remaining slots to outside vendors only as needed.

Board members raised logistics and marketing questions: permit coordination with city maintenance and police, overlap with July 4 bay fireworks and other events, food‑vendor capacity, and the need for a focused marketing push to build attendance. One board member recommended hotels be included in marketing outreach to alert visitors.

The board moved and approved a motion to have a board member work with NexMark to refine hours, vendor lists, permits and marketing, and directed a board representative to attend the City Commission meeting in May to request in‑kind city services for the event. Ronnie was identified as the board's point person to work with NexMark on marketing and logistics; the motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: staff and the appointed board representative will coordinate with NexMark and the events office on permitting and a communications plan and will request in‑kind services from the City Commission at the next appropriate meeting.