The Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning an enhanced slate of summer events, but says more community volunteers are needed to help everything materialize.
At a meeting Monday, board members discussed the summer plans, which include an expanded Fourth of July celebration and a new fall festival.
Two new volunteers were at the meeting after the board put out a call for more community help.
CVB President Amy DeLaRosa said it would be the dream to have enough volunteers to divvy up events to specific committees to relieve the burden on the half dozen people serving on the board.
“It’s exhausting when it’s just us,” DeLaRosa said.
She emphasized community volunteers can pledge to help with just one event if they don’t have the bandwidth to help with the entire lineup.
“The more hands make all of these activities easier,” DeLaRosa said. “We will take whatever help we can get.”
Jason Musick, a city commissioner and non-voting member of the board, said one of his goals with the city is to urge more financial support of civic groups like the CVB and Chamber of Commerce. At an economic development work session Saturday, commissioners seemed aligned with the city supporting paid staff for the CVB, something Musick said was his goal.
“As a commissioner, one of the things I’m very passionate about is supporting the Chamber and supporting the CVB and important organizations that help drive so much stuff in our community,” Musick said.
People interested in volunteering can find more info on the CVB Facebook page.
America’s birthday, World Cup, and a new festival
The CVB is planning to continue hosting Main Street Market all summer, but will also hold an expanded Fourth of July celebration due to the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The event will include an expanded fireworks show, including about $10,000 worth of fireworks and a finale triple the size of last year’s, Parks and Recreation Director Sally Pennington said.
Other enhancements include the school district opening the football field for people to sit and watch the show, event T-shirts that can be preordered, a family fun zone and an expanded food truck lineup.
Musick said there will be more police presence to help with traffic as well.
As the summer turns to fall, the CVB is planning to host a new Kaw River Fest, which could include some elements of the defunct EudoraFest, including a car show and apple dumplings. The event will feature a food drive for the Eudora Food Pantry.
Main Street Markets throughout the summer will include food trucks, live music and more. The market will open alongside the CPA picnic on June 11 and 12. The next market will be July 3, which will be World Cup themed and may feature a watch party of the quarterfinal match that day. On Aug. 7, the market will include a back-to-school drive for the Eudora Schools Foundation.
“I’m just trying to think of ways we can partner with community organizations,” DeLaRosa said.
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
