Staff Reports
Gatsby parties are “elegant, extravagant, wild, and opulent,” and the next one is in Jefferson.
The Opera House Theater Players [OHTP] is changing their 35th season kick-off party back to a “Jazz Age lawn party” according to president Marcia Thomas. “We’ll have all the embellishments with that… we’ve got entertainment lined up, catered food and some special events. We’re hoping that everybody will dress in the period.”
Gaining sponsorship from Martha and Allen Yarborough, the party will take place at Twin Oaks.
Thomas is also getting $1,000 in support from the Jefferson Tourism Board’s New Events Program fund to help with advertising and promotion following the Board’s approval during Monday nights’ meeting.
The Board is also moving forward with having Jefferson named a “Texas Music Friendly Community.”
Board member Missy Baldwin, who’s working on getting the applications complete said she and Board president Colleen Taylor met with TMFC representative recently to discuss the next steps and gained some advice on setting up the committee.
A TMFC is a designation from the Texas Music Office that helps communities “with a network for fostering music industry development, and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth.”
The community provides a monthly update to the TMO of music related events and the office helps promote them statewide.
Getting the designation was first proposed back in 2020, but COVID, and lack of action slowed the Board’s process in obtaining the designation.
The Board is completing the application, getting it approved by City Council, and finalizing the list of committee members. The committee is made up of a mix of venue owners, event organizers, and musicians. The program helps promote them as well as draw new entertainers to town.
The Discover Jefferson & Marion County visitors guide will begin printing a list of music related events in each quarterly publication.
The City and Marion County Chamber maps are being prepared for the next printing, and Taylor requested the Board provide another $1,000 in support.
The next printing will be late summer and will be updated for new businesses and locations. Business can help sponsor the map by having their business “highlighted” on the map for a fee.
The costs for the next printing, and
In other business, the Board:
– Noted the lack of a social media campaign reduced website traffic by 95% compared to the previous month
– Asked for additional members to attend the Meeting Planners International Gala in June
– Noted that HOT tax receipts were at 54% of budget and the Visitor’s Center had brought in $12,000 so far this year
The Board will meet again on June 12.