During the Aug. 26 regular meeting, Tourism Director Mike Maloney returned to the topic of the previous CAPC meeting; what options does the CAPC have if a collector does not remit taxes. The process currently is around a three-month timeframe with a collector considered late after a month of failure to report/remit taxes. The CAPC notifies them and if within three months they have continued to fail to remit, the CAPC can threaten legal action. Then that person can handle it out of court or the CAPC would be forced to take them to county court.
The question though, was whether the CAPC could take away the businesses license over failure to remit taxes. Maloney explained they could not. While the A&P can take away their A&P license, they do not have the power to revoke a business license.
Another slate of marketing support for the year was discussed with six originally on the docket but two not being covered. One event’s marketing support request was postponed to the November round while another for Gritfest was dropped. Commissioners did discuss their questions on Gritfest briefly but chose not to continue to follow the rule they set last year that a support request with no one present to represent would not be approved.
The other four events received the full support they requested with Vintage and Artisan Market, ES Community Fall Harvest Festival, Pass the Ammo and Rocky Horror Picture Show in the Aud, and Boys in the Band received $3,500, $1,000, $1,500, and $5,000 respectively and all unanimously.
Vintage and Artisan Market was presented by Devin Henderson of the ES Chamber, being held on Oct. 16 and 17 at Pine Mountain Village. Henderson said the event is inspired by the Village Craft Fair, which was held at the Village until 2018, as well as with War Eagle Weekend when visitors will already be looking for similar events. He said it was an opportunity to capture that audience and keep Eureka Springs a hub for the weekend. He said the aim is for 50 vendors total with two food truck slots. There was some concern voiced over the limit of what kinds of food trucks the event was looking for, as Henderson mentioned they would not be able to have fries and burgers due to the closeness to Pauly’s.
The Eureka Springs Community Fall Harvest Festival was presented by Jordon Henley, the programs and marketing manager at the ES Community Center. Happening Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., a first-time event, and is meant to be family-friendly featuring fall activities. Carnival games, obstacle course, hay-bale maze, live music, vendors and more. Henley explained the event would have an admission fee and $1 activity participation, though one could get an all-access pass for $20.
Henley said there was a shortage of fall activities for kids and families to take part in, noting how when she was younger, she’d have to go out to Exeter for the closest fall activities.
Pass the Ammo & Rocky Horror Picture Show is the annual showing of both movies in the Auditorium, presented by Escape Room 13. Beatrice, a co-organizer, represented the event in requesting marketing support. Pass the Ammo has historical significance for the Aud, partially filmed within the building. It was noted this year carries special significance with the passing of Tim Curry.
The last event in the lineup, Boys in the Band, directed by Gene Flake, is a fundraiser for Purple Flower as well as Safe to Be. The play has been invited to be the first non-member production at Inspiration Point Center of the Arts during Diversity Weekend from Nov. 6 – 8 with Friday and Saturday evening showings and a Sunday Matinee.
The version of the play will be the original 1968 version and Flake noted its controversial elements saying disclaimers would be presented before the start of the production. Flake explained the play has historical significance to the LGBTQ+ community and that the event is sponsored with Out in Eureka to coincide with their event. Flake hopes to fill a total of 900 seats, 300 per production with tickets at $55 – $65 with marketing going outside of the 50-mile regional area including Tulsa, Dallas, and other metropolitan hubs. Commissioners had some hesitance on approving $5,000 for an event technically outside of Eureka Springs, but felt it was a good litmus test to see how events that are outside of the city could drive traffic to town. Commissioners requested to see data on where attendees come from.
Other Items
- Maloney mentioned Hallmark listing Eureka Springs as a top 25 Christmas city. He gave kudos to Katelyn Jerrell for her article on Christmas in Eureka which was part of the proposal to Hallmark.