Sebring Circle's calendar getting full

Reservations to use the downtown Sebring Circle for upcoming events are filling up fast, with the exception of the Heartland Idol.

Diana Walker, founder and board member of Heartland Idol, said the group will not approach the city council for use of the Circle for its annual event. The Idol board has not chosen another venue, she added.

Other event planners are getting for a variety of events in 2011 - so much so that the city council appointed a Special Events Committee to review each one and establish some standard criteria for safe and practical use.

Councilman John Griffin, Public Works Director Rob Miller and Community Redevelopment Agency President Gene Brenner are on the committee.

"We're trying to set up a criterion with rules and regulations," Griffin said Thursday. "We haven't figured out the whole plan yet."

Part of the plan is to seek a remedy when the city has to spend money to provide services, such as police, fire, public works or sanitation.

The committee is looking at what sets the need for additional insurance into motion, such as serving alcohol, holding a "burn-out," a stunt show, or possibly having a large crowd.

Some will have to have the insurance and add the city on the policy as additional insured, he said.

About his role on the committee, Miller said, "We're trying to ensure all the bases are covered, trying to make events run more smoothly as well as making sure the city is covered."

Back sometime in December the council approved 4 to 9 p.m., Feb. 5, for use of the Circle for the Leadership Highlands Class of 2010 for the Highlands Hometown Hoe-Down and food drive to benefit the Highlands County Food Reservoir.

Use of the Circle for the annual Roaring Twenties Arts and Crafts Festival to be held Feb. 12 was approved on Jan. 4.

At its Jan. 18 meeting the city council approved use of the Circle for five separate events including one new event. Rachel Murphy, representing the Palms of Sebring, asked for a High Heel-a-thon for 6 p.m., on Feb. 11, sharing an evening with the Gallery Walk, which begins at 5 p.m.

The proceeds of the High Heel-a-thon will benefit the American Heart Association.

Councilman Bud Whitlock will go before council on Feb. 1 to reserve 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 19 for the monthly cruise, Car Show, which would have been on Feb. 12, but was bumped due to Roaring Twenties.

Council also gave a nod to Greg Harris, executive director of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, for its Circle of Speed at 2:30 p.m., March 3, and Taste of the Race, starting at 10 a.m., March 17.

It reserved Nov. 5 and possibly Nov. 6, for the 45th annual Highlands County Art League's Arts and Crafts Festival. Martile Blackman complimented the city departments on how its last event turned out.

If the Art League's board decides to make it a two-day event, street closures would be from early Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, she said.

Joe Dionne approached council for permission to hold an 11/11/11 Veterans Day parade. He said he was trying to reserve one or more Army bands for the event, which need to be reserved six to eight months ahead of time.

"We want to incorporate a citywide, a countywide celebration for this," he said. "We want to ensure we have a great event for Veterans Day."

Adam Martin, with Circle of Truth Ministries, said he, too, is looking for use of the Circle in the fall.

"We're in the process of looking for certain performers and bands," he said. "It will depend on when they are available."

He figured the next Circle of Truth concert would take place sometime in September, October or November. He will approach the city council when he has the performers locked in.

Sept. 16 and 17 will be the Sebring Thunder Car Show II. That will be followed by the Run to the Heartland, on Sept. 29 and 30, as well as Oct. 1 and 2.

City Clerk Kathy Haley said no event is placed on the city calendar without council's approval. That calendar is available online at www.mysebring.com, she said.

However, there may be some tentative dates set aside, such as for an Easter egg hunt, or for the Christmas parade, which would happen this year on Dec. 2.

Also taken into consideration is the annual Carousel of Lights, as far as use of Circle Park.