Organizers outline Sunbury Sizzle & Sounds for Aug. 22, seek volunteers and donations to cover costs

Jillian Banton, representing the Civic Association, told the Sunbury commemoration committee on July 21 that the Sunbury Sizzle & Sounds festival is scheduled for “August 22 from 11 to 11 on the Sunbury Square,” and that the group intends to keep the event’s format largely unchanged from the previous year.

The presentation said the event will mark its 17th year and feature food trucks, a kids zone, a beer garden and a music lineup led by a Prince tribute act. “We will be having shuttles,” Banton said, and organizers said they are coordinating with a larger parking lot at the Eagles as an added shuttle drop-off to ease downtown congestion.

Organizers described continuing the security model used last year with the same vendor and police coordination, and said the staging and lighting will be handled by a new stage company contracted for the event. To reduce volunteer demands around cash handling, presenters outlined a fundraising plan: if roughly 250 people or groups donate $100 (as described in the packet), the Civic Association would be able to make general admission free. Banton said volunteer shortages were a major factor in pursuing that option.

Committee members asked about street closures and stage delivery; presenters acknowledged the need to balance business access with safety, said they typically close Vernon the night before (after 5 p.m. in prior practice), and asked to appear before the city council on Aug. 5 to walk through logistics and preapproved closures. The committee and staff said they had no major outstanding concerns and thanked organizers for the presentation.

Next steps: the Civic Association will finalize permit details and appear before council on Aug. 5 for further review; the commemoration committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m.