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Lake Odessa commission approves spending and volunteer plan for 2026 Art in the Park
Summary
The Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission set dates, approved modest spending and logistics for the July Art in the Park event, and sought volunteers and sponsorships as organizers work to replace a food vendor that withdrew.
The Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission on June 9 approved several expenditures and confirmed logistics for the 2026 Art in the Park festival, including vendor counts, volunteer plans and a replacement search for a withdrawn food vendor.
Chair Meg Hermes called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Memorial Building and the commission recorded six members present. The commission reviewed the revenue-and-expense report and approved payment of $784.44 to SEAM for event t-shirts (motion by Hermes, supported by Nancy Mattson). The commission also approved paying up to $200 for succulents for the Kids' Zone and up to $200 to rent a U-Haul trailer for event transport.
Why it matters: Art in the Park is the commission's largest annual public event; the decisions commit small, short-term spending and finalize several operational items needed for the July event and its set-up schedule.
Commissioners reported 80 artisans registered and 96 booths sold for the event. Nancy Mattson said she has contacted Steve Aldrich at the VFW about a possible flag ceremony but was awaiting confirmation. The Kids' Zone will include stone painting; Karen Banks will provide stones and order paint pens.
Commissioners discussed volunteers and staffing. Elizabeth Stoneman said her father, Dave Stoneman, offered overnight security and her mother, Heidi Stoneman, offered shuttle-driving help; Banks reported she has contacted a local Boy Scouts troop and will create an online volunteer sign-up. Banks also asked Union Bank to consider allowing use of its parking lots as an in-kind sponsorship.
On equipment and supplies, Susan Mesack said she is seeking a donor for a first-aid kit for the information booth and reported delivery of wrist bands for artisans who pay for loading help. The commission voted to offer $125 to purchase a retired event gazebo from the Michigan Festivals & Events Association and reported that tents, tables, chairs and port-a-johns have been paid in advance; a dumpster has been secured as a sponsorship from Dumpster on Demand.
Mesack provided printing and advertising quotes and the commission approved $150 for a Facebook ad placed through the Michigan Festivals & Events Association. For food vendors, Mattson reported that Grub-It-Up BBQ has withdrawn and she is seeking a replacement.
The commission scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. on June 30 to consider a request from Sara Alvarado, who emailed asking to sell goods from her Honduran village at the event at no charge; the commission asked Banks to request more information ahead of the special meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
