City Council receives Chamber’s Half Moon Holidays report

The Shiner City Council received a report on the Half Moon Holidays from the Shiner Chamber of Commerce at the August 4th meeting. 
“Half Moon Holidays 2025 was an incredible success and a true testament to what can happen when a community comes together,” Chairman of the Board Michelle Price said. “As history has shown, when Half Moon Holidays lands on July 4, attendance can sometimes be lower. 
However, this year’s turnout particularly on Saturday was strong and energetic. The musical lineup was especially well received, with standout performances from local high school talent and, of course, the beloved Hobo Band, who continue to represent the heart and soul of the event.”
“The barbecue cook-off remained one of the highlights, with 50 teams competing. A recent addition, the Local Winner Award (for Lavaca County residents), continues to gain traction, and looking ahead, we plan to introduce more local and sponsored awards to encourage greater participation and recognize our community’s talent. 
  We also want to invite more local businesses to be part of the recognition process, strengthening the connection between community support and event celebration. 
   This year, we were honored to donate leftover barbecue to the rescue teams assisting with flood relief efforts in the Hill Country. While rain impacted the parade on its originally scheduled day, the community’s flexibility and willingness to adapt allowed the parade to proceed the following day and it was a heartwarming example of teamwork. 
  We’re incredibly grateful for the city’s support and the community’s determination to keep this cherished tradition alive.”
The council also approved a request from the CoC for two street closure events. The first event is for Christmas in the Park. The second event is a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration happening on 7th Street on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“The event aims to provide a safe, fun and festive atmosphere for children and families to celebrate Halloween, while also encouraging community engagement and supporting local businesses,” Price said. “This will be the first year of what we hope to establish as an annual tradition, similar to Christmas in the Park. Our goal is to create a beloved fall event that brings the community together and grows in popularity year after year.”
The Halloween event activities will include:
• Trick-or-treat tables and trunks hosted by Chamber businesses and community members.
• A costume contest for all ages. 
• A mini pumpkin patch with pumpkins available for purchase and for pictures.
• A street dance and live music.
• Vendors from Shiner and surrounding communities.
• Announcement of the Chamber’s Fall Business of the Season. 
Other items on the City Council agenda include:
• Council approved the Shiner Beer Run half-marathon taking place on Nov. 22.
• Council reviewed the 2025 tax rate. The council will officially adopt this in September. 
• Council rescheduled next month’s meeting to Sept. 8 due to Labor Day holiday.