Packet: Tiffin City Council Work Session (09/01/2026)

Saturday offered a strong mix of family-friendly activities and entertainment, including vendor booths, food trucks, bounce houses, a water slide, train rides, a petting zoo, yard games, and the Bags Tournament. The combination provided something for a wide range of ages and interests and encouraged families to spend several hours at the event. The Rec Fest Bags Tournament brought a fun competitive element to the weekend, with 12 teams participating in the tournament. The event provided an opportunity for friends, families, and community members to enjoy some friendly competition while taking part in the larger Rec Fest celebration. The live music lineup was another highlight. Sad Dads performed during the late afternoon while the Bags Tournament was underway, creating a lively atmosphere and helping build energy throughout the event. They effectively warmed up the crowd for the evening's headliner, Trophy Dads, who closed out Rec Fest with a high-energy concert that brought the event to a strong finish. Overall, the 2026 Rec Fest format proved to be a significant improvement and was the most successful Rec Fest to date. The combination of a two-day schedule, later Saturday start time, family activities, interactive entertainment, and a strong evening concert created a balanced event that appealed to a broad cross-section of the community. Staff also identified several opportunities to improve event parking and traffic flow based on this year's experience. Those takeaways will be incorporated into planning for future events to improve the experience for residents, businesses, and event attendees. Event Results Overall, the 2026 Rec Fest exceeded staff expectations. Friday's event successfully continued despite challenging weather conditions, while Saturday produced a strong and sustained turnout throughout the evening. The event demonstrated the value of offering a variety of activities and entertainment within one event. Families could participate in recreational activities, children could enjoy the attractions, adults could participate in the bags tournament and other activities, and attendees of all ages could enjoy the live music, food, and community atmosphere. 7