TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Allie Behrman, CPRP, Special Events Manager
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: November 18, 2025
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RESOLUTION NO. 209-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN IMPACT EVENT KNOWN AS THE 27TH DELRAY BEACH GARLIC FEST TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 1, 2026; IN AND AROUND THE OLD SCHOOL SQUARE CAMPUS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Review and consider Resolution 209-25, approving an Impact Event known as the 27th Delray Beach Garlic Fest to be held February 28th - March 1, 2026 in and around the Old School Square Campus.
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Background:
Delray Beach Arts, Inc. submitted a Special Event Application on July 21, 2025 for the impact event known as 27th Annual Delray Beach Garlic Fest to be held February 28th - March 1, 2026 on the Old School Square (OSS)campus. The application was reviewed by the City's Special Event Technical Advisory Committee at which time it was found that the event met one of the criteria which define the vent as an "Impact Event" requiring City Commission approval:
1. The application indicated that 4,000 people per day are anticipated to attend the event thus exceeding the criteria of 3,500 people or more on at least one calendar day.
SETAC recommended this event move forward for approval on September 4, 2025. The application was then reviewed by the Development Services Management Group (DSMG) on September 25, 2025. DSMG has recommended approval for this impact event.
This event was held in Delray Beach for 17 of its 27 year history but relocated out of the City after having grown to a size in which it could no longer be accommodated on the OSS campus. The returning version of the event is a scaled down version of what was held in Delray Beach before and staff believes that the event as designed is appropriate and manageable on the OSS campus. There will be no road closures for this event. The event will be contained to the Old School Square Campus.
City Attorney Review:
City Attorney has approved the resolution document as to form and sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
There will be no financial impact to the city, as this is a ticketed event and all costs will be billed to the producer.
Timing of Request:
Delray Beach Arts, Inc. would like certainty of approval to begin registering vendors and full-scale marketing of the event.