TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tom Kisela, City Manager
1. Subject
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Agreement with the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival.
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2. Summary
For several decades, the City of Orange produced the annual Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival on the Thursday before Halloween in the Old Towne Orange Plaza. On June 25, 2024, the City Council voted to cancel all City-sponsored events unless a non-profit organization sponsored and produced the event in its entirety. On February 20, 2025, the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. sent the City of Orange a letter of intent to assume responsibility for the Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival. The proposed agreement will authorize the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival for three years.
3. Recommended Action
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Approve the agreement with the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life.
6. Discussion and Background
For several decades, the City of Orange (City) organized and funded the annual Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival (Treats) in the Old Towne Orange Plaza (Plaza). As one of the City’s highly anticipated events, Treats consistently attracts thousands of Orange residents and visitors alike to the Plaza for a family-friendly Halloween event.
In considering the City’s structural budget deficit, the Orange City Council voted to cancel all City-sponsored events (including Treats) on June 25, 2024. However, the City Council qualified the cancellation that events may continue should a non-profit organization assume responsibility to fund and produce the event.
On February 20, 2025, the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. (OISF) submitted a letter of intent (LOI) to assume responsibility for Treats and requested a three-year agreement to produce the event. The City and OISF have developed a three-year production agreement similar to what the City utilizes with OISF for the annual Street Fair and Orange Plaza Rotary Club for the annual Car Show. The more significant provisions in the proposed agreement include:
• The City will secure cost recovery for actual costs to help produce the event.
• OISF will submit a proposed staging layout map no fewer than 60 days prior to the event.
• The Community and Library Services Director will annually review and approve Plaza Park’s usage during the event.
• In keeping with Treat’s family-friendly tradition, attendees may not wear grotesque masks or costumes depicting violence nor may attendees use simulated guns, knives, swords, hammers, chainsaws, clubs, etc. to the extent the item can be mistaken for a real weapon.
• City will begin the Plaza closure at 12:00 p.m. the day of the event and will re-open the Plaza no later than 12:00 a.m.
Should the City Council approve the production agreement with OISF, representatives from the City and OISF will work together to prepare for this year’s Treats scheduled for October 30, 2025. Lastly, per the LOI, OISF does not intend to allow alcohol sales during the event.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Agreement with the Orange International Street Fair, Inc.
• Orange International Street Fair, Inc. Letter of Intent.