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Organizers say ChocFest drew wider crowds, report successful accessibility test
Summary
Event organizers told the Hazen commission this year's ChocFest ran successfully with extended hours, attendees from 21 states and a sample showing Hazen attendees at about 35%; organizers thanked the city for support and asked for future parking/traffic planning and consideration of permanent handicap access.
Organizers of Hazen's ChocFest told the City Commission the festival expanded its reach this year and that keeping the event open through a weekend accommodated a community funeral while increasing community benefit.
"It turned out this year that, you know, especially given the circumstances with Jerry passing... being able to be open through the weekend really was fantastic for the community and for the family," an event representative (Speaker 8) told commissioners. Another organizer (Speaker 7) said they recorded visitors from 21 states and that a sampling of entries showed Hazen attendees constituted about 35% of respondents this year, down from roughly 47.5% in an earlier year. Speaker 7 said the festival's spread is "getting more and more" and that organizers noted an international tour bus visited.
Organizers reported a temporary ramp borrowed from the football field was used successfully for handicap access in front of the main shelter and suggested the city consider permanent year-round access and an organized parking plan (potentially using an area such as a school and a people mover) to reduce neighborhood congestion.
Commissioners thanked organizers for the update and noted staff follow-up on handicap access and parking would be appropriate for future festival planning.
