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Council revamps WinterFest plan to boost downtown business during holiday season
Summary
Council members described a reorganized WinterFest focused on supporting downtown shops and restaurants, with business-led planning meetings, complementary vendors, and a target date of the first Saturday in December; staff will circulate a flyer and continue coordination.
The council discussed a plan to restructure WinterFest with a stronger town role in organizing attractions, marketing and business engagement to drive holiday shopping downtown. The presiding officer (Chair) read a proposed festival outline emphasizing support for local merchants: "The town of Fortville remains committed to preserving and enhancing WinterFest as one of our community's signature holiday traditions," the Chair said, and outlined goals to increase economic activity and coordinate promotions.
Andy (S3) and other council members described outreach to business owners and plans for a business meeting later in the week to refine vendor selection, event days, and activities that complement downtown stores rather than create a competing marketplace. Andy said the group aims to maintain the traditional first-Saturday-in-December date and to structure activities so the event functions both as a community celebration and a destination shopping opportunity. Staff will prepare a flyer and coordinate with business owners; council members asked for volunteer help and indicated they would meet again with interested merchants.
No formal budget appropriation was made at this meeting; members signaled general support for moving forward with planning and stakeholder engagement.
