Lake Odessa arts commission approves Art in the Park spending and raises 2027 booth fees

The Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission approved several budgeted items to support its July Art in the Park and set new 2027 artist booth fees at a special meeting on June 30, 2026.

Chair Meg Hermes opened the meeting and the commission voted to amend the agenda to add a discussion of 2027 artist booth fees. The commission then approved $840 to print 1,200 copies of an event visitors guide and authorized a $415 half‑page ad in The Reminder to run the weekend before the event. Commission members also approved $198 to host a two‑month visitor feedback survey on SurveyMonkey and agreed to distribute paper surveys at strategic park locations.

Event logistics approved included borrowing two Wi‑Fi hotspot units from the Lake Odessa Library, using Chair Hermes' trailer to transport supplies (instead of a prior U‑Haul plan) and purchasing a tarp and bungee cords. For sponsor recognition the commission chose reusable 18x24 yard signs, and it authorized ordering event banner(s) and a six‑issue subscription to Sunshine Artist Magazine.

Entertainment adjustments followed a cancellation of the First Congregational Youth Choir: Barefoot Blonde agreed to extend its set by 15 minutes and Michael Hulett by 30 minutes, and the commission approved an additional $100 payment to each performer. The Boy Scouts agreed to perform the flag ceremony if the VFW cannot provide volunteers.

On fees for 2027 artisans, the commission approved a package of changes: electricity will cost $15; day‑of entries for 2026 participants only will be $70 for the first space and $30 for each additional space (applicants will be pre‑juried); early registration through Dec. 31, 2026 will be $85 for the first booth and $40 for additional booths; after Dec. 31, 2026 the fee will be $100 for the first booth and $75 for each additional booth. The commission also voted to eliminate the referral rebate program.

The commission approved two reimbursements to a board member for small expenses related to event preparation: a $30 reimbursement (or $10 if a $20 test charge is refunded) for a credit‑card magstripe reader test purchase, and a $192 reimbursement for a one‑year Flipsnack subscription; both reimbursement motions passed with the requestor, Karen Banks, recorded as abstaining on the votes.

The meeting concluded at 9:35 p.m. and the minutes were filed by Secretary/Treasurer Karen Banks.

Votes at a glance: all motions reported in the minutes passed. Notable recorded motions included approving $840 for 1,200 printed visitor guides; $415 for newspaper advertising; $198 for two months of survey hosting; authorization to borrow two library hotspot units; authorization to use Chair Hermes' trailer and purchase related supplies; approval of yard signs and banners; approval of entertainer payments of an additional $100 each for Barefoot Blonde and Michael Hulett; adoption of new 2027 artist booth and electricity fees; and reimbursements to a board member (one vote resulted in an abstention by the reimbursed board member).