By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
With fall break on the horizon Park City’s commissioners met for a special-called meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in substitution of its regular meeting, which was scheduled for next week. The short agenda saw the quorum discuss topics ranging from the city’s Highland Games to developments on the construction of an amphitheater and drive-in movie theater.
Calling the meeting to order, Park City Mayor Larry Poteet gave the floor to Commissioner Gary Carroll whose report gave some highly anticipated updates for the city’s 2025 Highland Games. “The Highland Games are coming up the first weekend after Memorial Day,” he said. “There’s just so much that goes into this.”
Carroll went on to invite his wife and treasurer for the Southern Kentucky Highland Games, Karin Baldwin-Carroll, to expand on some of the expenses involved with the event. “We have a bunch of bands scheduled, which they will need lodging and meals,” she explained. “We also have an athletic director, but all of them want money down before they commit.”
Gary Carroll told the commission that the athletic director “schedules all the athletes for every event and controls all of those events.” He said the director’s responsibilities also encompasses setting up for the event as well as the announcing and training of athletes competing.
The proposed director is Kerry Overfelt, a native of Bardstown and author of “Master’s Highland Games Training Manual.”
“He does the whole bit, and for this event he’s going to waive his fees,” Carroll said. “But, that doesn’t mean he’s waiving the fees for the trophies, the monies, the things like that that go into everything else.”
While no action was taken due to the restrictions placed on special-called meetings, Carroll did alert the commission to the amount of money that would be asked of them. After pointing out what the money would go towards (entertainment, lodging, etc.) and that this cost is an initial estimate, Carroll said, “The amount that we’re asking for is $26,425. The sooner we can get it the sooner I can lock these people in.” The games’ committee will also be actively seeking sponsors throughout the community to offset any unforeseen expenses.
Next, tourism commissioner Mike Burgess spent a majority of his time talking about the city’s upcoming “Bigfoot Festival” scheduled for Oct. 12. “We’ve been hitting it hard,” Burgess said. “On the event’s Facebook page we have over 600 people who have clicked the ‘interested button.’”
Burgess called event coordinator, Jim Osbon, to speak more on the specifics of the festival. “Since we last had a meeting, we were able to secure funding from Cave City Tourism and Glasgow-Barren County Tourism, and that’s been a big help,” he said. “Banners and yard signs have been completed, and with the TV and radio announcements, we think it’s going to be a big hit.” During Osbon’s update it was also stressed that the event is still actively seeking vendors, and food trucks and for those interested to contact Osbon at 270-670-2074.
As the commissioners wrapped up their reports the next notable subject was the acceptance of an engineering firm to work on the city’s amphitheater project. In the packet sent to various engineers it was explained that the city would be “accepting Requests for Qualifications for engineering services.” It was expressed that the timeline is critical for the project, with the city giving applicants 90 days to respond with construction and bid documents as well as proof of qualifications, technical expertise, and prior experience with similar projects.
Poteet informed the commission that there was only one applicant that turned in the proper documentation in the given time frame and also met the city’s standards. Precision Engineering, which operates out of Tompkinsville, was unanimously selected, with Poteet adding that the city has set a tentative completion date of 2026.
The last item on the agenda was for the commission to enter into closed session to discuss the acquisition of property. Upon returning to open session, Poteet stated that no action had been taken. Immediately thereafter the commission moved to adjourn.
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