To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: Douglas County request to light the Star in Rock Park for the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo’s 100th Anniversary
Body
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Executive Summary
Douglas County has submitted a request to light the Star in Rock Park from Thursday, August 2, through Sunday, August 5, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo.
Such requests generally have fallen under Council’s purview; staff in 2018 plans to present to Council for consideration a policy to formalize this process.
The longstanding community tradition is for the Star to be lit each November at Starlighting and to remain lit nightly until the end of the National Western Stock Show each January.
Past instances of the Star being lit outside of that time period include lighting the Star in orange and blue to support the Denver Broncos when playing in past Super Bowls. The Star also was lit to support the nation’s military following World War II.
Staff believes this request from Douglas County rises to the level of causes for which Council may wish to consider lighting the Star. A motion is below, should Council wish to grant this request.
It’s worth noting that some Fair-related events will happen prior to August 2, including the Town’s Western Heritage Welcome cattle drive on July 27, and the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Parade and Boots & Brews fair on July 28.
Should Council wish to light the Star earlier than the County has requested, Town staff and the County would support that, as well. Staff is happy to accept Council’s direction on this consideration.
Proposed Motion
“I move to direct staff to light the Star in Rock Park from __ to __ in observance of the 100th anniversary of the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo.”