Main Street cancels June concerts; July 4 still in question

Longtime director announces retirement

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The June concerts for Main Street’s annual summer concert series have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the regularly scheduled Main Street advisory board meeting on Tuesday, April 28, board members voted to cancel the June concerts, citing health, safety and financial reasons.

Main Street is down on sponsors, Main Street director Barbara Friedrich said at the meeting. The organization has $12,830 currently and they would need $18,550 to run the concert, according to Friedrich’s estimations.

There also hasn’t been any clarification on whether the state would allow mass gatherings to occur in June.

“I personally feel like we should cancel the June concert, and maybe redirect to July 4,” Friedrich added. “That’s my personal opinion, of course it’s open to y’all.”

The board agreed and moved to cancel the June concerts. The board will discuss whether to cancel the July 4 concert and fireworks in the next scheduled meeting in May.

Friedrich announces retirement

Near the end of the meeting, Friedrich announced her retirement, set to take place in late May. 

“I thought really long and hard before I did this,” she said. “I know I’m going to miss Main Street, I know I’m going to miss what’s going on. I’ll probably get back into it and volunteer with everybody. I felt like it’s time for me to go, to take my place. I’ve been here 21 years. It’s my time.”

Friedrich added that Main Street will be interviewing her replacement on Thursday and hopes to make a decision then. 

“We’re asking that person to start May 13,” she said, “and I’ll be working with that person for two weeks.”

“I feel like y’all will be in good hands and everything will work out great,” Friedrich later added.

Board member Debbie Toliver thanked Friedrich at the meeting for all of the hours she’s put into Main Street.

“As long as I’ve been in Main Street, you were 24/7,” she said. “You’re out there from early in the morning until late at night, all the events you’re there. You’re going to [leave] big shoes to fill. You have been one heck of a director. Good luck on your retirement.”

In other business, the board:

  • Approved a business improvement grant application from First United Methodist Church for a multi-purpose center. The money is 80% up to $15,000 max.
  • Tabled an action item regarding no charge for businesses to set up a booth on Confederate Square during the concert series
  • Tabled an action item regarding request of funds from the Historic Homes Association
  • Approved a promotional event for reopening Gonzales
  • Approved IRS 990 form and authorizing the chairman to sign
  • Approved an advisory board accountability agreement for members to sign

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