At Monday evening’s City Council meeting, the Council will consider adoption of the City of Margaret’s Official Annual Calendar of Events and Holidays. This calendar is designed to provide residents, businesses, city staff, and community partners with a clear, predictable outline of how the City observes holidays and organizes major community events throughout the year.

This effort is about planning, transparency, and community connection – ensuring everyone knows what to expect and has the opportunity to participate.

Why an Official City Calendar Matters

An annual calendar serves several important purposes:

• Transparency: Residents can see, in advance, when City offices will be closed and when major events are planned.
• Better Planning: City departments can coordinate staffing, public safety, and logistics more effectively.
• Community Engagement: Families, businesses, churches, and nonprofits can plan around events and partner with the City more easily.
• Consistency: Establishing standard dates helps successful events grow year after year.

By adopting a calendar through formal Council action, the City creates a reliable reference point that can still be adjusted when needed.

Recognized City Holidays

The calendar continues the City’s recognized holidays, aligning with federal and state observances. On these dates, non-emergency municipal offices are closed while essential services remain available. These include holidays such as New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, among others  .

City of Margaret Signature Events

The proposed calendar also identifies signature City-sponsored events that celebrate Margaret’s history, families, and civic pride. These include:

• Founders Day – celebrating the City’s roots and founding families
• Margaret Incorporation Day Celebration – recognizing the City’s incorporation and growth
• Summer Family Events (“Margaret Nights”) – flexible summer programming such as movies, food trucks, and family activities
• Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
• Trunk or Treat – a safe, family-friendly Halloween event
• Thanksgiving Food Drive – supporting families in need
• Toys for Kids Christmas Collection
• Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

Each of these events is designed to strengthen community ties while remaining fiscally responsible and scalable over time.

Optional Community Engagement Opportunities

In addition to City-sponsored events, the calendar highlights optional, volunteer-driven activities such as Spring Clean-Up Day, First Responders Appreciation Week, and youth and senior engagement events. These are opportunities for residents, civic groups, and churches to partner with the City in meaningful ways.

What Happens Next

If adopted, the calendar will be published and made available to the public. As with any living document, it can be amended by future Council action as community needs evolve. Departments will use it for planning and budgeting, and residents will have a clearer picture of the year ahead.

This calendar reflects a simple goal: helping Margaret plan better, communicate clearly, and come together more often.

Residents are encouraged to attend Monday evening’s meeting, review the calendar, and stay engaged as we continue building a more organized and connected city.