Organizers of the town’s Christmas Middleburg event told council they will pilot a small kids zone at the Middleburg Community Center, add the Pickwick Singers at Emmanuel Church and rely on ornament sales and targeted sponsorships to support the event.

A representative for Christmas Middleburg said the kids zone — run in partnership with Foxcroft and the Middleburg Community Center — will be modest this year, with seated activities (coloring, a possible puppeteer) and a signed release for parents. “We're kind of coming in quietly this year and seeing how it plays out,” the presenter said.

The organizers also said they will place the Pickwick Singers at Emmanuel Church to encourage visitors to the town’s east end.

On finances, the presenter said bookkeeping issues noted earlier in the year have been corrected; a revised statement of activity and a more detailed budget were provided to the council. The organizer said sponsorships were light this year and operating costs rise “5 to 7% every year,” leaving modest reserves.

Organizers described ornament sales as a dedicated revenue stream that “perpetuates that cash flow.” The ornament distribution plan includes sales at the Hill School, online sales and in‑person sales on parade day; partners such as the museum have asked to sell the ornament on site.

Council members asked about volunteer staffing for the kids zone and grandstand access logistics. Presenters said the parade sound truck issue from last year has been addressed and stanchions will remain in place to control access. Organizers said storage of donated items and event equipment is a pending logistics matter tied to a proposed future maintenance shed.

Council members praised the ornament and discussed restraint on event merchandising to preserve the community character of the event. The organizers said they will continue to seek sponsorships and manage costs conservatively.

No vote was required on the presentation; organizers requested questions and gave council advance notice about budgets and volunteer needs.