Council approves request for funds

Blacksburg town officials mention on a regular basis they are all for fun and games in the Iron City, looking for any source of entertainment that will appeal to residents of all ages.

No other entity has taken this challenge more personally than the Blacksburg Business Association (BBA), which in the past year has introduced the ‘Alive After 5’ concert series and a farmers market for local growers to sell fruit and vegetables pulled from their own gardens.

There to assist the organization has been the Town of Blacksburg, making full use of its Hospitality Tax money.

Pleased with the success of this year’s Iron City Festival and other events, town officials agreed to dip into the municipality’s Hospitality Tax money to help the BBA with its upcoming festival which will allow parents and children to trick-or-treat at businesses in the downtown area.

“Right now, plans are to have hamburgers, hot dogs, trick-or-treating, a bonfire and costume centers for children,” said Dorcas Blackwell-Wright, secretary of the Blacksburg Business Association. “Participating businesses will be open to give candy out to trick-ortreaters and it should be an overall good time.”

Funds will go toward promoting the event, attracting entertainers and other miscellaneous costs that might be incurred. Town officials are requiring the BBA to fill out paperwork designating where the funds will be spent.

The organization has received more than $10,000 this year by way of the Hospitality Tax, with more than $6,650 being devoted to the Iron City Festival. The other portion was dedicated to the BBA’s ‘Alive After 5’ concert series, using all but $1,154.07 of the funds given to it by the town.

Town officials unanimously approved a motion to add $500 to the amount, all of which must be used by the end of the year only for the purpose presented before town council.