Lebanon City board approves downtown street closures for World Cup watch party, summer events and OctoberFest

The Lebanon City Board of Works on June 22 approved multiple downtown street closures to host a FIFA‑sponsored World Cup watch party and a series of summer events, and to stage the city’s OctoberFest.

Event organizer Patrick Clu asked to close Washington Street adjacent to the Clu/Clue patio on June 25 from 5 p.m. to midnight for a free, public World Cup watch party that will include a video‑board truck, bounce houses and a public appearance by the local Indie 11 soccer team. The board approved the closure as presented and authorized a contingency to extend the closure to East Street if attendance requires. Mayor Gentry and board members raised logistics questions about truck placement and safety, and the organizer said the video board will be located near Meridian Street facing the square.

The board also approved two private‑party closures proposed by the same organizer: July 2 (4–10 p.m.) and Aug. 1 (4–11 p.m.). Finally, the board approved the OctoberFest closure on Aug. 15 from 3–11 p.m. covering Meridian and a half‑block of Washington Street in the same configuration used last year. Each approval was made by motion, second and a voice vote; there were no recorded “no” votes in the public record.

The approvals included standard operational contingencies discussed by the board, such as placement of event equipment and ensuring pedestrian access. The board did not add conditions beyond the contingency to expand the June 25 closure area if needed. The clerk announced that the motions carried and the events may proceed under the approved times and locations.

The Board of Works will not return these items to the agenda unless organizers request modifications or operational concerns arise; final event logistics and permit follow‑up will be managed by city staff.

Next procedural step: organizers and city staff will finalize traffic control plans and any required permit paperwork ahead of each event.