TO: he Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
THROUGH: Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Beth Powell, Parks, Recreation, & Conservation Director
Wendy Swindell, Assistant Director Parks, Recreation & Conservation
Steven Barako, Parks Superintendent
FROM: Elaine Carow, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Venue & Special Events Manager
DATE: November 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Latitude-88, Inc. Recurring License Agreements; Oktoberfest, Bluesfest, January Home Show, April Home Show, Arts & Craft Expo 2026-2029
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BACKGROUND
Latitude-88, Inc., based in Vero Beach, is an established event production company that organizes community, cultural, and entertainment events primarily throughout the Treasure Coast. The company produces numerous events annually, including five recurring events held at the Fairgrounds. Latitude-88, Inc. has a long history of hosting events at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. These events-Oktoberfest (4th year), Bluesfest (5th year), the January and April Home Shows (13th year), and the Arts & Craft Expo (6th year)-welcome thousands of attendees, provide recreational and cultural opportunities for residents and visitors, and contribute to local economic activity through attendee and vendor spending.
ANALYSIS
For many years, Latitude-88, Inc. has hosted recurring community events at the Fairgrounds, including Oktoberfest, Bluesfest, the January and April Home Shows, and the Arts & Craft Expo. Latitude-88, Inc. is seeking three-year recurring license agreements to continue holding these events.
These annual events draw significant attendance from residents and visitors and have become established traditions within Indian River County. Collectively, they provide a mix of cultural festivals, music programming, home improvement exhibitions, and artisan markets, generating community engagement ...
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