LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven City Council approved a wide range of use requests this week for a variety of events — both new and old — expected for 2025.

Among those requests involved an adjustment to a community staple at Triangle Park.

The Downtown Lock Haven Rotary Club requested an extension of its use of Triangle Park for its annual Flags of Honor.

Flags of Honor will be celebrating its 11th year. The project offers residents the opportunity to honor a loved one through the flag display, with funds raised from the event benefiting local charities.

Typically, the flags are displayed from the Friday before Memorial Day until the Tuesday after.

This year, Downtown Rotary requested the flags remain up for three weeks — from May 23 to June 17.

“We have had requests from the public to keep the flags flying for longer than the Memorial Day weekend, so this year, we would like to keep the flags displayed through Flag Day, June 14, removing them the evening of Tuesday, June 17,” the request from the club noted.

Council Member Steve Stevenson questioned if three weeks may be too long, noting the display is very large and takes up most of the park, making maintenance difficult.

“To have to mow around them all could be an issue,” Council Member Heather Alexander agreed.

City Manager Greg Wilson noted — based on the club’s letter — they intend to fill the park with American flags, much like they’ve done in the past.

“If they are as close as they normally are, we wouldn’t be able to mow,” Wilson said. “It would be three weeks during June and the park wouldn’t be moved. But it would need to be presentable three days after that for public use” for the summer concert series.

Wilson noted, much like the club did in its request, there have been members of the community who have asked for it to be placed longer.

“One was from me. It would be nice if they stayed up for a week. Because when people leave town for Memorial Day weekend, it’s nice when they come back that they’re still up,” he said. “Traditionally a week or less would be how long they’ve been up.”

Stevenson motioned to accept the request, but to adjust the dates for the exclusive use of the park to be from May 23 to June 1.

“That’s Friday to Friday, including Saturday and Sunday… nine days,” he said.

The motion was seconded by Council Member Barbara Masorti and approved unanimously by council.

Council also approved a request for use of Veterans Park along with the closure of East Water Street from Jay to Grove streets on Sunday, May 25, from 3 to 11 p.m. for a Memorial Celebration at the recently renovated park.

The event, according to the request made by the Clinton County Arts Council and Lock Haven VFW, will feature live music, vendors and fireworks.

CCAC President Steve Getz attended Monday’s council meeting to answer any questions that may come from this new event.

Stevenson asked where the potential fireworks would be displayed.

Getz said he and VFW representatives are in talks with a professional fireworks professional on where the fireworks would go.

He noted they aren’t industrial grade and are closer to fireworks a member of the public could purchase.

“They’re going to be on the other side of the dike behind Veterans Park,” he said. “We still have to do a little more research on that.”

Stevenson noted, when it comes to fireworks, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed — particularly distances from buildings.

Wilson said Getz and other planners can speak with Fire Chief Tyler Wooding to learn more about what their restrictions might be.

“We actually only have one place approved in the city, which is traditionally where the (former Jaycees) were set up by the dam near Grant Street,” Wilson said. “Part of that is because of the state fireworks law and how far you have to be from different structures.”

Getz said the planning process for the Memorial Celebration is on-going including for the fireworks and bands.

Stevenson asked if nearby residents could be notified of the time frame for any live music.

“The band will start somewhere around 7:30 p.m. and end around 9:30-10 p.m., it might start earlier depending on funding,” Getz said. “It’s a work in progress.”

Following discussion, council unanimously approved the use request on its first read. The request will come before them on second read during its Feb. 3 meeting.

In other newer requests, council approved a request from the 2025 Frozen Snot race organizers for a 3-mile extension to its annual race, held in Zindel Park and the city-owned watershed in Wayne Township.

According to Community Life Director Kasey Campbell, the requested extension takes place on trails that are already present in the park.

With council’s approval, this will open up a third race opportunity for those interested in the Frozen Snot Race — a 25k leg.

The Frozen Snot Race is set for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 a.m., beginning at the Restless Oaks Pavilion along Pine Mountain Road, McElhattan.

Council approved two use-requests on their second reading — which were previously OKed at its Jan. 6 meeting.

This includes a street closure request from Uncle Alberts. The business received approval for the closure of North Vesper Street from Main Street to Jordans Alley on June 28 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for their Pride in the Haven event.

Council also gave final approval for the use of Peddie Park, the city beach and a closure of Perry’s Alley and a portion of North Vesper Street for a fundraising float event on Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be held by Schlesinger Communication and the Lock Haven Fire Department in an effort to raise awareness of what services the department provides.

Council’s final use request was for a banner to be hung across Main Street in downtown Lock Haven, advertising The Annie Halenbake Ross Library’s Spring Book Sale. The banner would be hung from March 10 to 31 with the library’s sale to run March 27-29.