BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — In an Inez City Commission meeting Thursday, Mayor Ed Daniels introduced a delegation from the Christmas in the Mountains (CITM) committee who sought financial support for this year’s festival. The committee, represented by Linda Webb, Linda Booth, Kendra Fletcher, Lisa Parsons and Janet Mills, made their case for a donation to help cover the rising costs of the annual event.
“We’ve always attempted to help everybody with their festivals with donations,” Daniels said, acknowledging the importance of the CITM. However, he cautioned that future funding might be constrained due to diminishing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
“At the end of this year, we’ve got to say just how we’re going to use it,” he explained. “There are certain things that we’ve got to use it on, but we will do the best we can.”
Webb, speaking on behalf of the CITM committee, expressed gratitude for past support from the city and outlined the financial challenges the festival faces this year.
“We do it through Tourism, but it is in the city,” Webb said. “We decorate the whole city, and we’re asking for help this year.” She detailed the rising costs, including a carnival that now costs $27,000 and a skating rink that requires $8,000. The committee has secured some funds but still faces a significant shortfall. Webb appealed to the Commission for increased support, proposing the idea of recognizing the city for sponsoring the skating rink.
“So we were wondering, you gave us $4,500 last year, if you could go a little higher and help us with the skating rink, she said. “Farm Bureau is going to give us $500 and somebody else is going to give us $500.”
Mayor Daniels inquired about the extensive effort involved in organizing the festival. Webb explained that the committee works from September until February, dedicating six months to setting up and dismantling the event. This year, they plan to light up the city from mid-November until Jan. 6, 2025, with hopes of transforming Inez into a regional tourism destination.
Webb emphasized the impact of the festival on the community, particularly on local children.
“We thought about just having it on the weekend, but then the kids would miss out,” she said. Webb recounted heartwarming stories of children experiencing rides and attractions for the first time. “It’s hard work, but it is so worth it when those little babies say, ‘This is wonderful,’ or their teachers are calling you and saying, ‘So and so never got to ride a Ferris wheel, never go to ride the swings, never got to ride horses. So the lord reminded me why we’re doing this.”
In addition to financial assistance, Webb thanked the Commission for allowing the use of city resources, particularly the help of a city street worker to set up and take down decorations.
“We couldn’t do it without him,” she said.
The CITM festival is set to kick off Dec. 1 with “A Merry Little Christmas Party” and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Christmas in the Mountains at the Collier Center. The weeklong event will culminate on Dec. 7 with a parade, local singers, vendors and other festive activities.
Webb also hinted at plans to have vendors selling hot chocolate and cookies during the weeks following the festival to accommodate people in town enjoying the holiday lights.
As the committee members stepped out of the room, the commissioners began their discussion on the requested donation. Commissioner Jennifer Wells noted that the city had $42,078.34 remaining in the ARPA fund. Commissioner Roy Penix expressed concerns about donating $7,000, suggesting a donation of $4,500, the same as last year.
“We may need to back down a little bit,” he cautioned.
Mayor Daniels compared CITM to the Harvest Festival and the Appalachian Artist Festival.
“I know Kiwanis is a couple of days and the Appalachian Artist is one day. [CITM committee] actually work for months on this,” he said, indicating his willingness to consider a higher contribution. Ultimately he proposed a $5,000 donation.
In the end, the Commission reached a consensus, with Wells, Penix, Commissioner Phyllis Conrad and Commissioner Nita Collier supporting the $4,500 donation. In addition, the city will pay $50 per month in storage costs for CITM’s decorations and provide the festival with the city worker’s services for a few weeks.