Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce is seeking the city council’s approval Monday for LB840 funds to promote a downtown retail event on Aug. 2.

An LB840 advisory committee earlier recommended $5,000 for Lemon Days, including $2,000 to rent a tent, print posters and provide fuel and a driver to offer visitors a free trolley ride.

An additional $3,000 will be used to advertise in southeast Nebraska, Kansas City, St. Joseph and Des Moines.

Rose Ralstin of NCTC said a portion of fees collected from businesses, food vendors and organizations at the tent location will be used to place a local newspaper ad and hold a remote radio broadcast.

One of the most positive aspects of the event is the cooperative effort between downtown merchants, Arbor Day Farm and Kimmel Orchard, said Pat Haverty of the River Country Economic Development Corporation.

Wine in the Pines is scheduled at Kimmel Orchard Aug. 1-2. It has been a focus of Arbor Day Farm’s summer promotions and received a $3,000 grant from the Otoe County Visitor’s Committee.

“It’s important for organizations in the community to all work together for common goals,” Haverty said. “If Kimmel Orchard is having a large event, it only makes sense for NCTC and Nebraska City Main Street to consider that a sales opportunity for some of the businesses in town.”

He said the LB840 funds are intended as “seed money.” He said if the event is successful, set-up fees can be held back to organize next year’s event.

Kay Young, Main Street manager, said she welcomes the opportunity to be a cheerleader for Lemon Days because of its focus on the downtown.

In the past, only NCTC members would have been asked to participate, but Young said Nebraska City Main Street encourages everyone to get involved.

“It’s all to help us remember that we’ve got these great businesses,” she said. “Everyone may still have sales at their store all weekend, but a bigger, more cohesive event gets the word out that people should stay and play in Nebraska City,” she said.

Haverty said the city’s museums, shopping districts and attractions, such as the MRB Lewis and Clark center, benefit from partnerships with Arbor Day Farm.

If local businesses can get some customers from 6,000 people at Wine Under the Pines and a packed house at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo July 29-Aug.2, it will definitely benefit the local economy, Haverty said.

Ralstin said people will be encouraged to register where they are from and how they learned about the Nebraska City events for a chance to win gift baskets at ADF, Kimmel Orchard and downtown.

The tent is scheduled for the north parking lot between Seventh and Eighth streets, which is identified in the downtown revitalization plan as a green area in the “town square” concept.