HELENA — On Tuesday morning, Downtown Helena Inc.’s board of directors voted unanimously to cease event operations in 2024 and focus on restructuring the organization.
Currently, many of downtown’s popular events have been canceled for the 2024 season, including Alive at 5, Art Walk, and Festival of Lights.
“Please know that we are not giving up. This is the opposite. We are here to do it right. So all of you, including those of you listening, join and participate. We welcome that, because we need it,” says Chris Starr, director of DHI and owner of Rockstar BBQ.
Downtown Helena Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that works with business owners to host events throughout downtown. The decision to cancel these events came after the organization cited a lack of funding and community support.
In August of this year, former operations director Jordan Conley resigned from his position, citing difficulty garnering support from the City of Helena, a flawed permitting system, and resistance from the community. .
DHI said the current operating model is not sustainable.
“Our funds are very limited. Our leadership is absent. And we are overwhelmed with the upcoming season and what it will take to put on the events that we always do.” ” says Starr.
DHI plans to reevaluate and restructure its organization to explore the possibility of focusing more on promoting events rather than hosting them.
“We want to be facilitators. We want to help other organizations organize their events as a guide, rather than taking full responsibility,” Starr says.
The Helena Indian Alliance is already working with DHI to do just that with its Back to School Bash event. Caitlin Griep, HIA’s administrative manager, said it’s not the city’s job to host events, but it’s the city and community’s job to support those who do.
“The city’s job, and everyone’s job including community members, is to make it as easy as possible and support the event,” Griep said.
Businesses throughout the downtown area steadfastly supported the nonprofit during the meeting, agreeing to continue the meeting and provide financial support during this process.
Sara Hambrock, DHI and Gold Bar board chair and Western owner, said the organization needs all the support it can get from the community as it plans its next steps. DHI is considering all options to raise support, including individual community membership. The hope is that downtown businesses and community members will help host more events. Hambrock plans to meet again Wednesday morning to further discuss the future of the event, and she said she hopes the community will offer support.
“Yes, we would love to see more grassroots event organizations, local groups and local businesses participate in these events that we have been building over the last 30 years,” Hambrock said.
