Fulton Tourism Commission plans ‘Christmas in the Park’

Terri Harvey was elected chairman and Pat Gossum, co-chairman of the Fulton Tourism Commission, during regular board session Oct. 11 in the Fulton City Hall commission room.

Pat Frazier was welcomed as a new board member, joining Harvey, Gossum, John Gambill and Tracy Pulley for the meeting. Board members Melanie Gunn and Peggy Tribble were absent.

During the review of financial reports by the board, an increase in revenue from hotel/motel tax was noted, as well as an increase in restaurant tax, with anticipated increases to continue as the result of added restaurant hours and the opening of The Meadows Hotel.

As to Motel/Hotel tax, revenues for the fiscal period ending Sept. 30 were $929.77 actual, with annual budget of $6,000 and year to date, actual, $2,803.15; restaurant tax at $4,461.08 current actual, $78,000 annual budget and year to date, actual, $19,332.45.

Following the approval of August and September financial reports, Tourism Executive Director Thea Vowell reported this year’s Banana Festival “did well” and all receipts submitted by event chairs by Sept. 30 had been reimbursed.

She said a final financial account would not be available until all outstanding bills had been paid, as some were not received until the end of September. Vowell said she planned to complete the financial report for the festival, as well as a financial account of each event, the following week, in anticipation of a full report to the board prepared for the next regular meeting.

Board member Tracy Pulley said while in the past, the board had been told the festival should be able to “break even” as to expenses, or “even make money”, she considered the festival more as something the city could provide for citizens and those in the surrounding communities.

“I agree,” said board member Pat Frazier, who added it was a way to “bring the communty together.”

Vowell noted she believed the free concerts drew from a wide area, reaching many who attended from out of town.

Under new business on the night’s agenda, Christmas in the Park was set for Dec. 1.

Pulley volunteered to contact the Fulton Independent Schools’ Choir Director regarding the possibility of the student choir performing Christmas selections at some point during the Christmas in the Park event, with Vowell directed to contact local churches which might have an interest in performing as well.

Vowell said she had made attempts in the past to solicit interest from local churches or choirs to perform but had not received the response she had hoped.

Frazier suggested holding the event earlier in the day on Saturday, to allow for shopping during regular business hours at Lake Street establishments with the board in agreement to extend hours during which vendors could set up and display items for sale.

Vowell reported that there were 27 vendors who displayed wares in the Pontotoc building during last year’s Christmas in the Park, coordinated by Jane Zickefoose. Vendors paid $25 each to secure space.

Pulley suggested the option of allowing vendors to set up outside, in the area of Pontotoc Park, and in the event of bad weather conditions, move them indoors to another venue.

Pat Frazier suggested moving the vendors, arts and crafts, to the Willingham Center, instead of Pontotoc Park, to allow for more space, and a larger number of vendors. Vowell said she would contact the Willingham Center to see if the gym area was available that day and evening.

Vowell noted the Twin Cities Men’s Organization had customarily provided a chili supper during the event, with the board suggesting the chili supper could be located in the Pontotoc building.

The idea of having “Santa” on hand for the chili supper was discussed, with Vowell stating in recent years, having “Santa” and/or choirs on hand during Christmas in the Park had not seemed to draw a large number of people.

Other ideas suggested included the possibility of creating a festively marked “pathway” from the Pontotoc Park area to the Willingham Center, for the convenience of those who wanted to walk between the two locations, as well as downtown merchants open for the Christmas in the Park hours, from 2-7 p.m. and offering sales as well as refreshments.

Vowell said she thought the vendors would rather be open for longer hours, however she would suggest the chili supper only be held for three to four hours at most.