Special Hope City Board Meeting

The Hope City Board held a special meeting at 1pm Wednesday to hear a request from the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.

City Manager Catherine Cook addressed the board and introduced Chamber Director Beckie Moore.  Moore said the festival queens have suggested the Festival have a parade.  Moore said the organizers of the festival pageant have indicated their willingness to put this on.  The proposed date would be 6:30 on July 26th.  Board member Mark Ross made a motion to approve the parade and it passed.

Moore requested the Watermelon Olympics be held downtown at the HUB and in the parking lot next to the HUB a week before the festival.  She said this is in answer to requests by local businesses to have the event after working hours.  Moore said no streets would have to be closed.  Board member Kiffenea Talley asked if the event would take into account COVID measures.  Moore said the event somewhat spaces itself.  Board member Trevor Coffee asked why the Chamber wouldn’t just have the Watermelon Olympics at the park on Thursday.  He was concerned about not having a crowd during the Kiwanis Chicken Dinner.  Moore went through the Thursday events including the dog show and the baggo tournament.  The board agreed to let the Chamber use the HUB and to decide whether to have it the Olympics downtown or at the park. This was done by acclimation.  The meeting then adjourned.