Victoria’s 200th anniversary is coming up in 2024, and the City of Victoria is starting preparations now to ensure that the bicentennial celebration is one for the history books.
Joel Novosad, director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, briefly discussed plans for the celebration and other CVB initiatives during a presentation to the City Council on April 5.
To ensure that the City can commit sufficient time and resources to the bicentennial, Bootfest will be put on hold through the end of the 2024 bicentennial celebration.
“Planning Bootfest is an intense process that begins in January for an October festival: processing vendor applications, securing contractors and services, working with artists and planning activities,” Novosad explained. “The bicentennial will be a much greater undertaking because the celebration will last throughout the year, not just one weekend.”
The bicentennial celebration will be a collaborative effort by multiple City departments and community organizations. In the coming months, the City will establish a bicentennial commission and reorganize the CVB to commit staff resources to help plan and oversee the yearlong celebration
“The bicentennial is a unique opportunity to honor our community’s history and celebrate the growth of our city,” said Mayor Jeff Bauknight. “We regret having to suspend Bootfest, but this will allow us to give this once-in-a-lifetime event the attention it deserves.”
During the presentation, Novosad also talked about the City’s upcoming tourism rebranding effort. Later this year, the Convention & Visitors Bureau will work with a consulting agency to develop a comprehensive tourism strategy that emphasizes what makes Victoria unique. The CVB plans to use the bicentennial celebration as the launch pad for a new era of tourism efforts in Victoria.
To watch City Council meetings live and to view past meetings, visit www.victoriatx.gov/tv15.