When Twin Falls' annual Oktoberfest event was cancelled in July, local merchants took control - and delivered.

The two-day event in early October turned a $286.03 profit, according to budget figures released Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Historic Downtown Business Improvement District Board. Organizers said it's the first profit in the event's 30-year history.

"From the records we have it's the first time it's ever paid for itself," Kathy Schroeder, a BID board member who led planning efforts, said after the meeting. "It was a downtown event. Everybody participated. Everybody made it work,"

The event was cancelled in July because of profitability concerns, but local merchants rallied and pledged to find local sponsorships in order to spend less BID money. The hands-on approach by merchants proved to be "a big factor," and stores stayed open longer and promoted the event with flyers, Schroeder said.

In addition to a large turnout, she credited the financial success to requiring vendor contributions prior to Oktoberfest and charging them a little bit more.

"They tried a whole bunch of ways, but it seemed to work out the best," she said.

She said it's clear people like the type of family entertainment offered, and the BID hopes more events follow. At Thursday's meeting, the board discussed a possible July Fourth celebration, regardless of whether it includes fireworks.

In other business:

• The board announced that 150 Christmas sprays have begun to be placed on lampposts in downtown. About 15 to 20 sprays remain to be placed, and the project has drawn 40 sponsorships.

Most sprays will be on the lampposts along Shoshone Street and on portions of Main Avenue.

The $22,350 cost for the sprays will be shared by the BID, the city and the Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency.

• BID Board member Kevin Dane, a former vice president at Magic Valley Bank, said he plans to step down at the end of 2008 if he isn't associated with downtown anymore. He said he talked with Mayor Lance Clow about the issue.

"I don't want to create any issues with that," Dane said.

Dane's wife, Debbie, who is executive director of Southern Idaho Tourism, is assisting with the BID in marketing and advertising.

• BID Board member Greg Edson will lead a marketing committee with local merchants.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.