Discussion and Review of 2026 Community Events and Sponsorship Report – Rec Fest — Staff Report

2026 Community Events & Sponsorship Report The City of Tiffin's 2026 community events season has been a significant success and represents continued growth in the City's efforts to provide free, accessible, and engaging opportunities for residents and visitors. This year, the City introduced the Tiffin Summer Social – Parties in the Park, a new summer event series designed to bring the community together through live entertainment, recreation, food, and family-friendly activities. The series included events in June, July, and August and incorporated Rec Fest as its culminating two-day celebration. In addition to the summer programming, the City continued supporting community events and partnerships throughout the year, including the Infuse Church 2026 Easter Egg Hunt, Springmier Community Library programming, and National Night Out. Upcoming events include the CCA Homecoming Parade, Springmier Library’s Touch-a-Truck Event, Halloween Hike, Holiday Hoopla/Breakfast with Santa, and the 2027 Easter Egg Hunt. A significant accomplishment this year was the development of a formal community sponsorship program. For the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, sponsorship year, the City has secured $34,000 in sponsorship commitments, in addition to several in-kind partnerships. The City also began utilizing Placer.ai data, with assistance from Greater Iowa City, Inc., to better understand the reach and impact of Rec Fest. This will provide a valuable baseline for evaluating future events and understanding how Tiffin's community events attract both residents and visitors from surrounding communities. 2026 Community Events Strategy As Tiffin continues to grow, community events have become an increasingly important part of creating connections among residents, supporting local businesses, activating public spaces, and building community identity. The City's 2026 sponsorship materials describe community events as opportunities for residents to come together, build relationships, and enjoy shared experiences throughout the year. The City's goal is to provide events that remain free and accessible while creating opportunities for businesses and community organizations to participate. 1