Though the process of hiring a new event coordinator remains unresolved, the 13 Nights concerts series will continue, and the city has announced the remaining concerts.
On June 17, the City of St. Helens voted to approve a notice of intent to award Treadway Events & Entertainment LLC as the new events coordinator. The notice of intent to award began the negotiation with the selected contractor candidate and also opened a seven-day “objection period.”
According to St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King, the city received an appeal in protest of the city’s selection.
“The city did receive an appeal, which has been forwarded to the city’s attorney for review and response,” King said. “A new contract cannot be awarded until there is a response to the protest. We are working expeditiously with legal counsel to address the protest.”
This development marks another delay in the process of selecting a new contractor, and currently, the city does not have an official event coordinator. The contract for the city’s previous contractor, Tina Curry of E2C Corp., expired June 30. Curry was a key catalyst for the growth of St. Helens’ tourism program and had contracted with the city in that role since 2017. Community members and councilors have credited her with making the Spirit of Halloweentown the large-scale event it is today.
Regarding the timeline for getting a new contractor in the door, King said the city recognizes that “tourism is one of many community development approaches utilized by cities to support business and job growth.”
“We’re in a period of transition right now. While we don’t have a specific timeline for a new event contract agreement to be reached, the city remains committed to investing in local tourism,” King said. “Depending on the scale of tourism efforts, it can also generate regional, national, and international awareness about a city, which can create further economic growth. St. Helens possesses a unique set of natural and cultural assets that make our city a special place to live and visit. The St. Helens City Council and city staff are committed to showcasing those assets in a way that develops and preserves the highest possible quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Though there is no certain timetable for ironing out a new event contract, there is clarity on the future of one of the city’s staple events. The 13 Nights on the River concert series will continue in its temporary home of McCormick Park on July 11 when the Columbia County Coyotes perform.
As the city deals with the appeal and negotiations for its new event contractor, King said city staff is organizing the concerts “in the interim until the city enters into a new event management services agreement.
The complete list of the remaining concert dates is:
• July 11 - Columbia County Coyotes
• July 18 - Hit Machine
• July 25 - Catherine Loyer & Strawberry Roan
• August 1 - The Sweetwater Band
• August 8 - Patrick Lamb
• August 11 - Bon Bon Vivant
• August 15 - The Horn Dawgs
• August 22 - Hot Club Sandwich
• August 29 - The Gold Experience
The free concert series lasts from 6-8 p.m. each Thursday through the end of August. For more information, visit the city’s website at: www.sthelensoregon.gov/community .
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