CRESTVIEW — Ice-skating and toboggan rides will be some of the options available at a winter festival planned for Feb. 18.
The City Council unanimously approved the event, which the Community Redevelopment Agency conceived, during a special meeting on Wednesday.
CRA director Brenda Smith said the event would be free to the public and last from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Spanish Trail Park, where the CRA hopes to host four larger events. Alcohol sales will be permitted from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
The location was selected over downtown, the original site plan, due to the logistics of holding a major event of its kind in the Main Street area. Smith said the CRA still intends to hold several, smaller events in the downtown area throughout the year.
Kyle Verner, the winter festival’s event manager, said that despite not having a downtown presence, local restaurants and businesses would be the primary vendors. The vendors will not be charged an upfront fee to participate but would pay a percentage of sales after the event. Money raised would go toward the CRA for future event planning.
In addition to an ice skating rink, toboggan slope and local vendors, the festival will feature live music.
Crestview needs events like the winter festival to continue growth, Councilman Shannon Hayes said. He’s optimistic about its success and expressed his full support.
“If [Crestview] doesn’t try something new sometimes, we will never know,” Mayor David Cadle said. “I encourage approval.”
The City Council agreed and approved the event.
The festival will cost about $11,500, with an additional $4,000 for marketing. The marketing costs are included in the CRA’s annual budget and the remaining amount would be guaranteed back to the CRA as reimbursement from Verner’s company.
The event would generate money through the sale of beverage concessions and area sponsorships. There is already an unnamed title sponsor of $6,500 but now that the event has been approved, Smith said she could secure other sponsors.
Verner will work with the Crestview police and fire departments to ensure off-duty police and emergency personnel staff the event. Additionally, the event and recreation companies involved will be insured to prevent potential financial damage to the city.
Smith said events like the winter festival would encourage area residents to spend time and money within Crestview, rather than traveling to neighboring cities for entertainment.
Ultimately, she hopes these events can contribute to the area’s revitalization.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ice skating, toboggan rides to highlight winter festival