The Newton City Council approved over $5,500 in local Tourism Grants this week for three separate events in the community. Newton’s Tourism Grant Program is funded with hotel-motel tax revenue. 

A $2,500 grant has been awarded to American Legion Post 111, to support them taking over the city’s “Thunder Nites” bike nights this summer. Motorcyclists will still be welcomed into the community for special entertainment and food on the second Friday of June, July, and August.

Newton Main Street will use a $1,950 grant for this year’s Newton Farmer’s Market, which is moving from the north side of the city square to the Legacy Plaza Green Space. New Farmer’s Market Manager Nicole Brain is excited about the move.

“There is lots of space over there to expand, to have food trucks, add additional vendor spaces, host community activities in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market. So a lot of opportunities in the new space.”. 

The Farmer’s Market season in Newton kicks off Tuesday, June 3rd.

The third City of Newton Tourism Grant awarded this week is going to the Newton Arboretum for their annual Spring Plant Sale. The nonprofit has been given $1,141 for the event Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd. The deadline for the next round of grant applications under Newton’s Tourism Grant Program is October 1st.