Lilydale Festival Location, Date and Time Set

The first annual Lilydale community festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lots of the Stonebridge businesses.

Much discussion among the 10 Lilydale residents, business owners, and city officials during a planning committee meeting Wednesday at centered around which location would provide the best venue for the community.

The purpose of the festival would be to bring area residents together to get to know one another. Businesses would also be involved to meet the community they serve, as well as help fund the festival. Businesses along the strip would have their doors open, and other area businesses would have booths set up.

"What we're trying to do here is get some community spirit in that strip," said Frank Indihar, a member of the planning committee.

Joe Schaefer, owner of and other buildings that house businesses in the River Bluffs strip said he and other business owners there would only participate in the event if it were at River Bluffs.

He suggested two locations (River Bluffs and Stonebridge) with a shuttle service between the two.

"If we want to aim this to the citizens of Lilydale, we need to centralize it where the residents are, not where the businesses are," said Lilydale resident Kali Gardner.

Indihar added, "But there's really no other location that has enough parking spaces."

By the end of the meeting, the majority of the members decided Stonebridge would be a better option than River Bluffs because it is a closer location to where most Lilydale residents live. It would also be near the Lilydale City Hall and the strip would provide enough parking spaces for participants. River Bluffs businesses would be invited to get involved, even though it won't be in their parking lots.

The cost of the event would be offset by business donations as well as a contribution from the city of Lilydale.

City Administrator Teish Stafne called around and got estimates for cost of the event. Putting up a tent in the parking lot would cost $395, four port-a-potties would cost $320, 50 chairs would cost $1.25 each, and three banners for the event would cost $120. That's a total of $935.

The planning committee decided to ask at least 10 businesses to participate in the event, with each donating $100. It's a chance for local vendors to meet potential customers and show what they do.

The planning committee discussed whether to make this event exclusive to Lilydale, or also involve Mendota Heights and Mendota.

"We're trying to figure out whether we would invite the neighbors to a party we're having for our own people," said Lilydale Mayor Anita Pampusch.

Many committee members said they felt it made sense to involve the entire area, especially if businesses were going to participate, but no formal decision was made during the meeting.

Lilydale won't have to bring in vendors for food because the local restaurants will be selling their food at the festival.

The theme of the festival will be "FFF," which stands for Food, Fellowship and Fun.

Committee members are uncertain of how big or small to make the event, but just want to try something for the first time to see how it works.

"If you downsize it too much, you're going to choke yourself," Schaefer said. "All you need to do is provide the right atmosphere, and people will come."

An ice cream truck may be brought in to the event, as well as some form of musical entertainment. One idea was to bring in the Henry Sibley Jazz Band.

Organizers would also like to include a booth of Lilydale pictures and history at the event.

The next meeting is planned for Tuesday, June 21 at 4 p.m. at Lilydale City Hall.

In the meantime, Gardner, Pampusch and Stafne will meet to contact area businesses and draft a letter before the next meeting,  asking  businesses if they would like to participate.