Palestine A&P making plans for Halloween and Christmas

The Palestine Advertising and Promotion Commission discussed the city’s annual Trunk or Treat as well as plans for the annual Christmas Downtown celebration during its meeting last week. Commissioner Burt Swiney was absent. Commission Chairman Derrick Boileau said the group will once again provide funding for candy and hot dogs for this year's Halloween event. "We are setting the date for the Trunk or Treat for October 31, which is a Saturday this year," said Boileau. "What is our budget for Trunk or Treat this year? We are going to get hot dogs and candy. What did we spend last year? Do we know?" "Valerie (Parker, city clerk/treasurer) orders the candy and we give her, I want to say, $2,500," said commissioner Michelle Garner. "On the hot dogs, I think it was more than $1,500." Boileau said that if A&P funds continue the growing trend that has been seen since early July, he isn't worried about having enough funds for this year's events. "In the bank, as of August 3, we have $85,000," said Boileau. "On July 6, we had $75,000. If it keeps going the way it has been, we will be doing good by November. So, let’s just budget $2,000 for hot dogs and candy and if we have to amend it, we'll amend it. Can we go to Sam's and get the good hot dogs? Like Nathan's Hot Dogs? They sell those that are bigger hot dogs and they are good." "I went to Sam's last year for hot dogs, but we can do those," said Garner. "I am working with Kerry Nosler on bread this year. Last year, getting bread was a nightmare." Boileau told commissioners that after having a discussion with the owner of the new truck stop project in Palestine, there will be plenty of money coming into the A&P next year for any future events. "So for Christmas Downtown, I think we need to get the skating rink," said Boileau. "Mayor (Billy) Shafer and I have talked to the guy who is going to build the new truck stop and he is coming. He is about to start building. That will be more A&P money. He is going to have three eateries in that place. He is going to spend between $16 and $22 million to build that. We are going to get A&P money off of that. We have more than enough this year to do what we need to do this year. I don't feel as bad getting the big skating rink again. It is not going to break us." According to Garner, a new quote for a 36-feet by 40-feet ice skating rink had be received and it would be better for the annual Christmas celebration than the 36-feet by 80-feet rink they had in 2025. "The big one that we had last year was a 36 feet by 80 feet,” said Garner. "We have a new quote for a 36-feet by 40 feet skating rink, which would cut it in half, but we would save $10,000. It is the one we had when we first started the ice skating downtown. Last year, when we had the really big one, they had a hard time getting it level. This year was going to require them bringing a load of sand to build the parking lot up." Garner stated that by saving $10,000, she could free up more funds for portable toilet rentals and a lift rental for decorating the downtown area. "My thought is, if we went with the 36-feet by 40-feet rink, brought in the four-person trampoline and the Mt. Everest slide, everybody is not going to be skating at once," said Garner. "We are going to have more to do. People will be dispersed better. I am kind of leaning towards this one, because if we have the big skating rink, the work is not worth the extra $10,000. I still have to rent porta potties, the lift for decorating and all of that stuff. I don't want to cut in, if I can save money here to have extra for the lift and all of that stuff." The group voted unanimously to support both Halloween and Christmas events.

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