Survey: Stillwater Residents Want a New Event to Replace Lumberjack Days

Stillwater residents want a new community event to replace Lumberjack Days, according to the results of a survey Readex Research conducted in December.

Community Development Director Bill Turnblad told the City Council on Tuesday that 66 percent of the people surveyed by Readex are in favor of a new community event to replace the now defunct Lumberjack Days.

The results of the survey will be discussed in detail at the Feb. 19 council meeting.

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What Should a Summer Festival in Stillwater Look Like?

Last July, the city council to gain feedback on what a future summer festival in Stillwater should look like. Funds for the survey came from the lodging tax.

The random, 2,000-sample survey was sent to homes, business and property owners in Stillwater. About 1,100 responses were returned.

The six objectives of the survey:

1. Evaluate community preferences for a summer festival;
2. Identify the maximum acceptable impact of events on neighborhoods, businesses and city resources;
3. Identify the kinds of events desired by the community;
4. Determine which neighborhoods and commercial districts are appropriate venues for events that use public resources ,streets, sidewalks and parks;
5. Help the Council determine the maximum number of allowable events in a year, and decide whether multiple substantially similar events should be allowed, and if so, at what frequency;
6. Help the Council form a comprehensive events policy.