Stillwater's ill-fated Lumberjack Days could return next summer
Officials in Stillwater are working to revive the city's now defunct Lumberjack Days festival along the St. Croix River, KSTP reports.
The popular four-day summer event toppled after a financial scandal involving festival organizer Dave Eckberg.
He was charged last fall with multiple counts of felony theft and fraud charges. Last June, Eckberg and his wife also filed for personal bankruptcy.
Mayor Ken Harycki told KSTP the city hopes to hire an event coordinator and then seek bids from private event promoters to take on the risk and run the event.
Stillwater businesses are eager to see the festival return, which attracted as many as 30,000 people and helped boost local sales.
The city axed Lumberjack Days last summer citing unpaid bills, pending litigation and public disapproval.
However, a recent survey of Stillwater residents showed 66 percent are in favor of a community event to replace Lumberjack Days, the Pioneer Press reported.
