Plans for a Christmas celebration at the Sunshine Fairgrounds began firming up last week.
The committee for A December to Remember gathered at the Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon, and funding was the number-one issue.
Fair President Doug Cater raised the financial issue, suggesting the committee put together a budget for the December 5 celebration.
Renting the Fairgrounds will cost $1,500, and there will be other expenses, among them advertising, fireworks and outdoor toilet kiosks.
Cobleskill Town Clerk Tina Ward estimated the costs for the first-time celebration would be about $6,000.
Anne Rogan, filling in for absent chair Anna Marie Collins, said Ms. Collins has written solicitation letters that will be sent to organizations to help with funding.
Committee members said they could probably add to Ms. Collins’ list of organizations.
The committee may also ask businesses for donations, although Mayor Becky Terk was cautious.
“Businesses have suffered so badly [during the pandemic], and I feel bad asking them for more,” Mayor Terk said.
Ms. Rogan said that some businesses hadn’t suffered too badly, and Elks Exalted Ruler Lisa Wayman added that businesses may want to be patrons.
A December to Remember will replace Cobleskill’s usual holiday celebration, which had a parade that ended at Veterans’ Memorial Centre Park with Santa, tree-lighting and caroling.
The December 5 event will have a parade at the Fairgrounds, where there will be music, vendors, carriage rides, crafts, games, fireworks and more.