Pratt commission OKs Lemon Park closure for Oktoberfest and Jackson Street shutdown for Philly Fest

The Pratt City Commission voted on Aug. 18 to close Lemon Park for an Oktoberfest event and to permit the Jackson Street closure needed for Philly Fest, city officials said.

Organizers Dakota Hultgrieve and John Beverellen of the Bridal Oktoberfest Group asked the commission to close Lemon Park on Sept. 20 from 5 to 10 p.m. Hultgrieve said the event drew more than 300 people last year and raised about $12,000 for local nonprofits, distributed to groups including the Pratt Rotary Club, the Pratt Police Department and the food bank. The commission approved Resolution 081825 to authorize the park closure as requested.

Brittany Novotny, director of Philly Fest, asked the commission to approve a street closure that would run along South Jackson and include West 4th Street near the museum, with a planned event on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Novotny said last year’s festival attracted about 460 people, will feature 22 artist booths and several musicians, and requested six trash cans and help placing barricades. The commission approved the closure and indicated city staff would assist with barricade setup and trash receptacles.

Both approvals were made by voice vote. The commission asked staff to coordinate backup locations and logistics in case of weather or other changes, and organizers said they maintain a backup plan that includes renting a 4‑H building when county facilities are available.

The closures were approved without recorded roll‑call tallies; the decisions were announced as approved by voice vote and with no further conditions beyond the standard permitting requirements.