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Council advised to fund concerts and markets but not religious elements of Bethlehem display
Summary
Council was advised by the PARC Board to fund community-facing elements of the Bethlehem/Christmas Village but to avoid directly funding the religious Nativity presentation; the recommendation follows City Attorney guidance.
The PARC Tax Advisory Board recommended continued funding for community arts programming, including Fork Fest and Concerts in the Park, while taking a narrower funding approach to Bethlehem/Christmas Village components that have a religious element. Hugh Johnson said the committee consulted the City Attorney and recommended funding only nonreligious elements such as the stage and Christmas market rather than directly funding the Nativity presentation.
Council Member Staci Carroll clarified the committee’s recommendation, noting the request comprised three components (a stage, the Christmas market, and the Nativity) and that the board’s recommendation was to allocate funds only to the stage and market. Carroll said the narrower approach was intended to “support the broader cultural and community aspects of the event while avoiding direct funding of the religious presentation itself.” Harrington Center staff would remain responsible for accounting and implementing funds consistent with those parameters.
