The future of the second annual Spook The Square in Cordell is in question after the Chamber of Commerce voted to not sponsor the event.
Sarah Lau, the event organizer, submitted a written request for the Cordell City Council to close Market Street between Main Street and Clay Street for the event last week, presumably on behalf of the chamber, which was included on Monday night’s city council agenda. Monday afternoon, however, at their monthly meeting, the chamber board decided to not sponsor the event this year. Jennifer Cary, the chamber president, said the decision was made because the chamber is currently facing possible litigation related to a trip-and-fall accident that occurred during the Oct. 12, 2019, Pumpkin Festival and the board was unwilling to accept the risk of additional liability by sponsoring another event.
The chamber’s withdrawal from the event creates some confusion, as the council voted to close the street for the Chamber of Commerce, not for a private citizen. On Tuesday, after being informed that the chamber was not participating in the event, city administrator J.C. Moser scheduled a special meeting of the city council for 6:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the Cordell Community Center.
Moser said one of the main issues to be discussed during the special meeting will be that of liability for any accident or injury that may result from the event. Ultimately, he said, the final decision on whether or not to close the street without the chamber’s participation would be one for the council to make during the special meeting.