Elizabeth may not repeat barbecue as town reviews event lineup
Staff described the barbecue’s roughly $10,000 anniversary expense as one time, while the 5K and Family Color Run remain budgeted at about $7,000.
Elizabeth may not repeat its barbecue in its previous form next year, while the town’s budget includes about $7,000 for the 5K and Family Color Run, Main Street staff told the board Sept. 14.
The Elizabeth Main Street Board meeting recording shows staff describing the barbecue’s roughly $10,000 allocation as a one-time expense tied to the town’s anniversary celebration. Staff also cited limited capacity to take on another annual event and said another organization would need to organize a barbecue if it returns.
Staff said the 5K remains in the budget, though its roughly $7,000 allocation could potentially be used for another event. After registration revenue, staff estimated the 5K’s net cost at about $6,000.
The review followed four events held Aug. 21-31: the Main Street Car Show, the 5K and Family Color Run, Brewfest and BBQ in the Park. A Community Development Department memo reported 986 Main Street visits from 917 visitors, up 29.7% from the same period in 2025 and 46.3% from 2024. It also estimated 576 visitors at Running Creek Park events and said about 60% of Main Street visitors came from outside Elizabeth.
A business participant told the board that each event produced higher sales than a non-event day, with the barbecue generating the most transactions and the car show the highest average purchases. The discussion did not establish a formal cancellation, a replacement event or a new allocation of funds.
The board discussed a possible Oktoberfest-style festival on Main Street. A board member said they would begin talking with local organizations, but no organizer, schedule, funding or approval was identified. Staff said an event serving alcohol would require the appropriate permit and a barricaded area.