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Organizers call Floatfest 2026 a success and plan nonprofit status
Summary
Floatfest organizers told the Community Relations Commission the riverfront festival expanded programming, drew regional visitors and vendors, and that organizers plan to incorporate as a nonprofit and raise seed funding to sustain the event.
Floatfest organizers reported strong attendance, expanded programming and vendor demand at the commission’s Aug. 4 meeting.
Scott Layman, introduced as one of Floatfest’s organizers, told the Community Relations Commission the event featured multiple stages, dozens of artists and a large regional draw. “We came. We flooded. We fested,” Layman said, describing a program that included a DJ, a second stage and art installations. He said vendors reported brisk sales and that the second stage ‘‘solidified’’ as a feature the organizers will keep.
Layman described crowd-management challenges and said precise headcounts are difficult because attendees spread across park areas and in-water gatherings. He recommended using a rounded attendance figure and suggested, ‘‘just call it an even 2,000’’ for this year. The commission discussed spacing programming across the park and adding amenities to reduce congestion.
Organizers also outlined governance and fundraising plans: Layman said the Floatfest team intends to incorporate as a nonprofit and hold a November fundraising dinner to raise seed money, with an initial fundraising target of $10,000 to support festival operations and community programs in Elkhart County.
Commissioners praised the volunteer effort and asked Layman to work with staff on next-year logistics. The commission did not take a formal vote on the festival; the presentation functioned as an informational report to the CRC.
