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CASE Committee Packet Materials 2025.09.16970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org TO: CASE Committee FROM: Danita Dempsey, Chief Cultural Officer RE: Staff Update DATE: September 16, 2025 OPENING COMMENTS: The 2025 event season met with community enthusiasm for gathering with friends and family in a familiar setting! The CASE Team delivered a lively calendar of events while navigating the East Nottingham Park Improvement construction obstacles. This great supports the community and tourism, elevates the Avon brand and exposure and reinforces Avon’s competitiveness amongst our peer communities. This is most apparent in Salute to the USA winning the Colorado Event Alliance “Best Public Event, Fair or Festival” and the “Best Overall Event” at the annual ICON Awards, and AvonLIVE! is nominated for the Best of the Vail Valley music series for the second year. This year we welcomed Bravo! Vail and the Sinfonica de Mineria, Emily Dennis who crushed her first full event season, and we delighted in the newest addition to the Van Winkle family, Nora Lee! Despite a few challenges, including weather-related cancellations and/or delays, a major I-70 closure on July 3rd, restrictions on private rentals, as well as economic and/or political uncertainty, the season remained strong. That said, it was an excellent season of events, and a colorful, dazzling year for Art Around Avon and “Postcard from Avon,” the newest large format mural. The final Department Goals for 2026 have not been formally adopted by Council however, I anticipate our work will focus on (1) building capacity in local non-profit “arts” organizations and (2) researching bronze casting artists and soliciting general cost estimates for commissioning additional wildlife bronzes for roundabouts on Avon Road, Post Blvd., and the Main Street Pedestrian Mall into Nottingham Park. I will provide an update once the Council adopts Department Goals. Finally, our long-term work together still includes the (1) development of the Cultural & Arts Strategic Plan, however, this work is not at the forefront. And (2) the desire to hold single and/or multiday ticketed music events still exists, however, the development of Town produced ticketed events is still paused. I continue to discuss opportunities with third-party producers for future years. SUMMARY: This report provides an update on the (1) Main Street Pedestrian Mall re-design (2) 2026 Proposed Budget and (3) the 2026 Arts & Events Calendar. CURRENT / PLANNING ACTIVITY: 1. MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL REDESIGN- The CASE and Health & Recreation Committees reviewed, and provided valuable feedback during the January 16, 2025, CASE Committee meeting, and again during a joint meeting with the Health & Recreation Committee on February 20, 2025. The Main Street Pedestrian Mall Redesign project has made progress with the Planning and Zoning Commission (“PZC”) on January 23, March 10, and August 11, 2025. The two areas where PZC recently focused are (1) the Civic Plaza and (2) the Lake Street Crossing. The favored Civic Plaza conceptual design is provided as ATTACHMENT A and the favored Lake Street Crossing conceptual design is provided as ATTACHMENT B. Furthermore, the Town Manager has provided additional direction on both which includes but is not limited to the following: a. Civic Plaza (Concept 5.1): i. Show the circle continuing further south to the Seasons plaza line (i.e., replacing the connecting path area between Seasons and Ped Mall). 970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org ii. Add the extra landscaping between the town hall parking lot and the plaza as shown on Concept 4 included as ATTACHMENT C. iii. Add a raised landscape planter that is the entire small half-circle at the center to place skier statue in the middle with aspens on either side. iv. Show tree plantings between outside edge of plaza on east side and the Lot B development. v. I like the idea of shade sail(s) on the Civic Plaza, but I don’t have ideas on where we put them that would not interfere with layout or view the town hall building. I’m open to suggestions, including not adding shade sails and focusing on landscaping/trees – possibly more trees on the east side of this Civic Plaza. b. Lake Street Crossing (Concept 3): i. The two shade sails that frame the Ped Mall path going into that circle plaza works great. I suggest we consider trapezoid shaped sails so that there are two posts on the inside of the circle rather than one post at the point of triangle. See the diagram in ATTACHMENT D. This would provide a better shade area while encroaching less on the center of the circle. Up lighting is fine, but we will need to control it so that we are only using it for events and/or it is on a timer. ii. I have a hard time imagining any shade sail or tent on the west side of the crossing, but I’m open to ideas. iii. Please add flag poles where shown on ATTACHMENT D. iv. I heard general interest in the idea of wildlife bronzes. I think pedestals that are connected to the mini-plazas on the both sides are best to frame the four corners and so that people can get right up to the bronzes for photos. Please see diagram where I show the pedestals in orange rectangles. I think the four animals are wolf, eagle, trout and beaver. 2. 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET & CALENDAR - Overall, the 2026 Proposed Budget reflects a net decrease of $137,488.05 representing a 15.4% net decrease. A detailed 2025 Adopted Budget vs 2026 Proposed Budget Comparison is provided and attached as ATTACHMENT E. The numbers provided in ATTACHMENT E do not include personnel costs, general operations (cell phones, meeting expense, dues, and memberships, etc.) and capital outlay (computers, furniture, etc.). The most significant reductions and/or increases of the 2026 Proposed Budget are provided below, and I am happy to answer any questions Committee members may have related to the 2026 Proposed Budget. a. Lakeside Cinema has been removed resulting in a savings of $26,907.50. b. AvonLIVE! offers ten concerts instead of eleven, however, this specifically does not result in the savings of $12,019 being illustrated. The savings are primarily from reductions in Purchased & Contracted Services (intercept surveys, photography, and live streaming). Furthermore, we will discontinue Battle of the Bands and instead kick off the season with top tier talent creating the buzz and anchoring the season. c. Paddle Battles has been removed resulting in a savings of $11,727.50. This event will become a production/program of the Recreation Department in 2026. d. The completion of the East Nottingham Park Improvements Plan and new permanent restrooms resulted in a savings of $14,983.33. 970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org e. Installation of another large format mural has been removed resulting in a savings of $40,200. f. The National Endowment of the Arts (“NEA”) grant match has been removed resulting in a savings of $51,000. g. There are two event additions to the 2026 Proposed Budget, (1) Cars in the Park ($6,116.75), which is a collaboration between a third-party producer and the Town and (2) AVID Dance ($1,000), produced by AVID Dance Company, based in Colorado. These events are not new to the calendar and next year will be the third year for both. h. The draft 2026 Event & Art Calendar includes hold dates for the addition of (1) a single and/or multi-day, third party produced ticketed concert and (2) Fiesta Pride, produced by Mountain Pride. The 2026 Event & Art Calendar is provided as ATTACHMENT F. Finally, as outlined in ATTACHMENT E, the 2026 Proposed Budget revenues remain flat at $149,611. In collaboration with the Town Manager’s office, we are analyzing the current fee structure to determine if slight increases are warranted. The CASE division revenue is primarily from sponsorships and concessions and outlined below. a. Sponsorship: The sponsorship opportunities offered are (1) “Fireworks” which includes Fireworks in Avon and Salute to the USA (2) “LIVE! Music” which includes AvonLIVE! and SunsetLIVE! and (3) “Community”, which includes all other Town produced events. The cash revenue generated from sponsorship is approximately $13,250 and the in-kind value and/or trade off-set is approximately $55,475. b. Concessions: The total gross revenue for the 2025 season is $73,888. The details of the gross revenue for each event or series is provided below: i. AvonLIVE! - Gross Revenue = $36,441 and up slightly from $35,879 last year representing 1.6% increase. 1. $45,274 in 2023 2. $30,636 in 2022 3. $16,865 in 2021 ii. Salute to the USA - Gross Revenue = $37,447 and down from $54,707 last year representing a 31.5% decrease. 1. $51,465 in 2023 2. $28,388 in 2022 3. Flat revenue compared to 2021 3. ARTS & CULTURE: As mentioned above, the 2026 Proposed Budget includes an overall decrease of $88,450 representing 76%. While this decrease is significant it is important to note that it includes a (1) $50,000 National Endowment of the Arts contribution match of $50,000 and (2) $40,200 for a large format mural. a. Art Around Artist stipend for second year of exhibition which rotates in 2027 and on exhibit through May of 2027 (19 pieces) = $17,100. b. Three to four new painted benches = $5,200 c. Digital / printed mapping services, advertising, promotions, photography, and CAFÉ fees, etc. = $5,150. 970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org Finally, we are investigating selling or auctioning Glenna Goodacre’s Sidewalk Society Collection which was purchased in 1992 and 1993 consisting of five pieces (1) CEO (2) Family (3) Ollie (4) Architect and Contractor and (5) Dance Day. The collection formerly on Avon Road, has been on display on the Main Street Mall since 2014. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: 1. 2025 Full Event Recap 2. Post-Event Debriefs 3. 2026 CASE Committee Meeting Dates ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A – Civic Plaza Concept 5.1 Attachment B – Lake Street Concept 3 Attachment C – Civic Plaza Concept 4 Attachment D – Lake Street Crossing – Shade Sails Attachment E – 2025 vs 2026 Proposed Budget Comparison Attachment F – 2026 Event & Art Calendar Draft Thank you, Danita. AVON TOWN HALL PLAZA PLAN - CONCEPT 5.1 A V O N M A L L A V ON, C OL OR ADO 0 5 10 20 SCALE: 1” =10’-0” ATTACHMENT A LAKE STREET PLAZA PLAN - CONCEPT 3 A V O N M A L L A V ON, C OL OR ADO 0 5 10 20 SCALE: 1” =10’-0” ATTACHMENT B AVON TOWN HALL PLAZA PLAN - CONCEPT 4 A V O N M A L L A V ON, C OL OR ADO 0 5 10 20 SCALE: 1” =10’-0” ATTACHMENT C ATTACHMENT D 2026: PROPOSED $903,639.68 2026: PROPOSED $149,611.00 2026: PROPOSED $754,028.68 2025: ADOPTED $1,039,827.73 2025: ADOPTED $148,311.00 2025: ADOPTED $891,516.73 Difference -$136,188.05 Difference $1,300.00 Difference -$137,488.05 15.4% net decrease TOWN PRODUCED EVENTS TOTALS TOWN PRODUCED EVENTS TOTALS Variance Percentage of Change Winter Fireworks 67,329.00$ Winter Fireworks 64,629.00$ (2,700.00)$ 4% Decrease Egg Hunt 18,863.00$ Egg Hunt 18,033.00$ (830.00)$ 4.4% Decrease Town Clean Up & Sustainability Fair -$ Town Clean Up & Sustainability Fair -$ -$ Flat Best of the West -$ Best of the West -$ -$ On Hold AvonLIVE! (11)283,877.00$ AvonLIVE! (10)271,857.20$ (12,019.80)$ 4.2% Decrease SunsetLIVE! (14)35,880.00$ SunsetLIVE! (14)35,030.00$ (850.00)$ 2.3 Decrease Salute to the USA 377,555.00$ Salute to the USA 377,735.00$ 180.00$ .05% Increase Lakeside Cinema (9)26,907.50$ Lakeside Cinema -$ (26,907.50)$ 100% Decrease Cars in the Park -$ Cars in the Park 6,116.75$ 6,116.75$ 100% Increase Paddle Battles 11,727.50$ Paddle Battlles -$ (11,727.50)$ 100% Decrease Sunset SUP Race (2)-$ Sunset SUP Race (2)-$ -$ Discontinued Summer's End -$ Summer's End -$ -$ Discontinued Community Picnic 24,039.23$ Community Picnic 24,039.23$ -$ Flat Turkey Trot 14,749.50$ Turkey Trot 14,749.50$ -$ Flat Heart & Soul Festival -$ Heart & Soul Festival -$ -$ On Hold TOWN PRODUCED EVENTS TOTAL:$860,927.73 TOWN PRODUCED EVENTS TOTAL:$812,189.68 (48,738.05)$ 5.6% Overall Decrease THIRD PARTY PRODUCED / FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALS THIRD PARTY PRODUCED / FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALS Variance Percentage of Change Ultimate Apres Avon -$ Ultimate Apres Avon -$ -$ Discontinued Pride in the Park -$ Pride in the Park -$ -$ Vail Valley Lacrosse -$ Vail Valley Lacrosse -$ -$ Bravo! Vail 20,000.00$ Bravo! Vail 20,000.00$ -$ Flat Avon Art Celebration 3,000.00$ Avon Art Celebration 3,000.00$ -$ Flat AVID Dance -$ AVID Dance 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 100% Increase Vail Valley Brew-Au'-$ Vail Valley Brew-Au'-$ -$ Discontinued Xterra USA Championships -$ Xterra USA Championships -$ -$ Discontinued Dancing in the Park 40,000.00$ Dancing in the Park 40,000.00$ -$ Flat Cars in the Park -$ Cars in the Park -$ -$ Vail Valley Soccer Cup -$ Vail Valley Soccer Cup -$ -$ Man of the Cliff -$ Man of the Cliff -$ -$ Discontinued Contingency -$ Contingency -$ -$ TOTAL THIRD PARTY & CONTINGENCY:63,000.00$ TOTAL THIRD PARTY & CONTINGENCY:64,000.00$ 1,000.00$ 1.6% Increase CULTURE, ARTS & ACTIVITIES TOTALS CULTURE, ARTS & ACTIVITIES TOTALS Variance Percentage of Change Temp. Art Installations 24,700.00$ Temp. Art Installations 17,100.00$ (7,600.00)$ 31% Decrease Temp. and/or Permanent Art Installation 41,200.00$ Temp. and/or Permanent Art Installation 10,350.00$ (30,850.00)$ 75% Decrease Grant Match 50,000.00$ Grant Match -$ (50,000.00)$ 100% Decrease TOTAL ART INSTALLATIONS:115,900.00$ TOTAL ART INSTALLATIONS:27,450.00$ (88,450.00)$ 76% Decrease GRAND TOTAL:$1,039,827.73 GRAND TOTAL:$903,639.68 (136,188.05)$ 13% Overall Decrease EVENT SPONSORSHIP TOTALS EVENT SPONSORSHIP TOTALS Variance Percentage of Change Community Events 3,333.33$ Community Events 3,333.33$ 0.00$ Flat Firework Events 3,333.33$ Firework Events 3,333.33$ 0.00$ Flat Live Music Events 3,333.34$ Live Music Events 3,333.33$ (0.01)$ Flat Summer's End -$ -$ -$ Discontinued Heart & Soul -$ -$ -$ On Hold Sub -Total:10,000.00$ Sub -Total:10,000.00$ -$ 0% EVENT CONCESSIONS EVENT CONCESSIONS Variance Percentage of Change Gross AvonLIVE! 43,131.00$ Gross AvonLIVE! 43,131.00$ -$ Flat Gross Salute to the USA 51,000.00$ Gross Salute to the USA 51,000.00$ -$ Flat Summer's End -$ Summer's End -$ -$ Discontinued Heart & Soul -$ Heart & Soul -$ -$ On Hold Sub -Total:94,131.00$ Sub -Total:94,131.00$ -$ 0% TURN-KEY PERMITS TURN-KEY PERMITS Variance Percentage of Change Other TBD 1,500.00$ Other TBD 1,500.00$ -$ Flat Sub-Total:1,500.00$ Sub-Total:1,500.00$ -$ 0% SPECIAL EVENT FEES SPECIAL EVENT FEES Variance Percentage of Change Vendor Fees: Salute 15,900.00$ Vendor Fees: Salute 15,900.00$ -$ Flat Vendor Fees: Avon Live 8,700.00$ Vendor Fees: Avon Live 8,700.00$ -$ Flat Vendor Fees: Summer's End -$ Vendor Fees: Summer's End -$ -$ Discontinued Vendor Fees: Heart & Soul -$ Vendor Fees: Heart & Soul -$ -$ On Hold Bridge Banner Fees -$ Bridge Banner Fees -$ -$ Discontinued Sound Permits 100.00$ Sound Permits 100.00$ -$ Flat Paddle Battle Registration Fees 400.00$ Paddle Battle Registration Fees -$ (400.00)$ 100% Decrease Turkey Trot Registration Fees 10,000.00$ Turkey Trot Registration Fees 10,000.00$ -$ Flat SunsetSUP Registration Fees -$ SunsetSUP Registration Fees -$ -$ Discontinued Sub -Total:35,100.00$ Sub -Total:34,700.00$ (400.00)$ 1.1% Decrease SPECIAL EVENT ADMISSION FEES SPECIAL EVENT ADMISSION FEES Variance Percentage of Change Ultimate Apres Avon -$ Ultimate Apres Avon -$ -$ Discontinued Vail Valley Brew Fest -$ Vail Valley Brew Fest -$ -$ Discontinued Sub-Total:-$ Sub-Total:-$ -$ MOBILE VENDORS MOBILE VENDORS Variance Percentage of Change Food Truck Program 700.00$ Food Truck Program 2,400.00$ 1,700.00$ Sub-Total:700.00$ Sub-Total:2,400.00$ 1,700.00$ 24.2% Increase PAVILION RENTAL $6,640 PAVILION RENTAL $6,640 Variance Percentage of Change Sub-Total:$6,640 Sub-Total:$6,640 -$ Flat FIELD RENTAL $240 FIELD RENTAL $240 Variance Percentage of Change Sub-Total:$240 Sub-Total:$240 -$ Flat TOTAL PROJECTED REVENUE:148,311.00$ TOTAL PROJECTED REVENUE:149,611.00$ 1,300.00$ .87% Increase 2025 BUDGET EXPENSE: ADOPTED 2026 BUDGET EXPENSE: PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET REVENUE: ADOPTED 2026 BUDGET REVENUE: PROPOSED 2025 VS 2026 BUDGET COMPARISON ATTACHMENT E 2025 VS 2026 BUDGET COMPARISION SUMMARY: 9.16.2025 GROSS EXPENSE GROSS REVENUE NET ATTACHMENT F - 2026 Special Events & Arts January February March Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 April May June Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 July August September Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 30 31 October November December Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa Su M T W T F Sa 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 Event Type Legend Music Third Party Producer Arts and Culture Event Hold Date Community Fireworks Private Rental Venue Legend: All Town | A Trails | TR Pavilion | P Terrace | T Upper Recreation Field | UF Lower Recreation Field | LF Nottingham Lake and Beach NLB Avon Art Guild | AAG Event & Arts Calendar: YEAR ROUND Art First Friday’s Every First Friday of the Month AAG JANUARY January 17 | Fireworks in Avon P, A, UF, LF, T APRIL April 4 | Egg Hunt UF MAY May 20 | Town Clean Up & Sustainability Fair A May 24, 31 | SunsetLIVE! T JUNE June 7, 14, 21, 28 | SunsetLIVE! T June 10, 17, 24 | AvonLIVE! P, UF June 12 | Fiesta Pride - TBD P, UF June 13 | Pride in the Park P, UF June 23 - 25 | Lacrosse Tournament LF JULY July 3 | Salute to the USA P, A, UF, LF, T July 8, 15, 22, 29 | AvonLIVE! P, UF July 11 | Triple Bypass UF, A July 12, 19, 26 | SunsetLIVE! T July 24 - 26 | Avon Arts Celebration UF July 30 | Dancing in the Park HOLD P, UF AUGUST August 1 | Event Hold P, UF August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | SunsetLIVE! T August 5, 12, 19 | AvonLIVE! P, UF August TBD | Cars in the Park P, UF August TBD | AVID Dance P, UF SEPTEMBER September 6 | SunsetLIVE! T September 17 | Community Picnic P, UF OCTOBER October 2 - 4 | Vail Valley Soccer UF, LF October 9 – 12 | Event Hold P, UF NOVEMBER November 26 | Turkey Trot A, TR, UF