The city of Williamsburg is seeking public input to help identify priorities and goals for itself.
Over the next several weeks, the city will host eight Future Festivals, where attendees will play games designed to gather feedback to help inform City Council and staff as they work to develop the city’s next two-year workplan. The first festival is Monday.
Every two years, City Council “identifies strategic objectives” for the government as part of its Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes process.
“We wanted to reinvent the public input format to make these sessions more appealing and accessible,” said City Manager Andrew Trivette. “This festival format is not only more fun, it is mobile. We are bringing the public input sessions to the community rather than hoping the community comes to us.”
In May, the city closed its offices for an in-service day, during which they tested the festival games and it was “an overwhelming success,” said Nicole Trifone, the city’s public information officer. Staff feedback helped finalize the plans.
The first festival will take place Monday at Kiwanis Park on Longhill Road, followed by a festival at Bicentennial Park on Court Street on Aug. 25. The full schedule can be found at williamsburgva.gov/futurefest.
The festivals will include lawn games, a coloring station, a video booth and free food. Those in attendance will be given punch cards, which when completed merit a prize.
Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616
