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Board approves Christmas-on-Main and Veterans Day partnership, raises inflatable safety concerns
Summary
Discover Downtown Washington secured board approval to hold a Dec. 6 Christmas-on-Main event and to partner on a Veterans Day post-parade gathering Nov. 9; board required insurance, coordination on the tree location and flagged inflatables as a liability concern.
Representatives for Discover Downtown Washington asked the parks board to approve two community events: a Christmas-on-Main celebration on Dec. 6 and a post-parade veterans event on Nov. 9. The group sought the commons area, pavilions and a long setup window (requested 9 a.m.–9 p.m.) to allow vendors and stage setup.
Board members discussed placement of the tree, pavilion availability, and whether inflatables were permitted on the new commons turf. Staff said inflatables are not allowed on grass because of liability; if organizers wanted inflatables the board outlined conditions: they must be placed in the parking lot, be fully manned, and carry the required certificate of insurance. The group said some inflatable vendors provide their own staff and can supply insurance with a seven-day lead time.
The board voted to approve the Christmas-on-Main request and agreed to the Veterans Day partnership proposal, while directing organizers to coordinate with parks staff on the final layout, schedule and insurance documentation. Staff also reminded organizers that food trucks on city property are subject to the city’s $25 fee unless otherwise waived.
Organizers and staff agreed to follow up on tree placement and to scale or relocate inflatables depending on space and safety constraints; the board’s approvals were conditional on completing the standard application and insurance requirements.
