Dover Council approves July 3 "Park-a-Poolza," downtown car show and related street closures

The Dover City Council on June 5 approved plans for a July 3 community celebration dubbed “Park-a-Poolza,” and cleared a downtown car show for July 5, including temporary street closures and rental expenses.

Council member Eric Tyler moved and Member Jaime Putzier seconded a motion to spend up to $1,500 for bounce houses and to close Park Street and 2nd Street from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM for the July 3 event; the motion carried. The event will run 4:00 PM–8:00 PM and is expected to include four to five food trucks; the youth pedal pull was canceled. Clerk Melanie McGrath said she will contact People’s Energy Coop about a possible donation and create a Facebook event by June 10, 2025.

Citizen Dustin Bell proposed a downtown car show on July 5 from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, reporting he had spoken with downtown businesses and received their approval to proceed. The council approved a motion, moved by Member Eric Tyler and seconded by Member Jaime Putzier, to close the streets from 7:00 AM–2:00 PM and to rent two porta‑potties; the motion carried. The city and Bell agreed the layout would mirror prior years.

Separately, the council approved two event permits for Neighbor’s Pub: live music July 3 from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM for the pre-firework gathering, and a July 4 chicken‑que beginning at 11:00 AM with live music from 2:00 PM–5:00 PM. Both approvals were moved by Member Jaime Putzier and carried.

The council’s actions finalize event dates and temporary public‑space closures; staff will follow up on logistics and vendor coordination before the events.