Ames residents and the ISU community will have the opportunity to provide input about the future of Veishea at an open forum Monday.

Those who attend will be asked how Iowa State and Ames can work together to hold a festival and what they are willing to do to promote and facilitate such an event.

Gary Botine, president of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the forum. He said he hopes the meetings will result in some sort of festival.

“We need something to define Ames,” Botine said. “Veishea kind of did that.”

He said he thinks the meeting should address how both the civic community and Iowa State can work together to make an event that not only celebrates the colleges, but also families living in Ames.

“By going forward, I hope there will be a much better partnership in supporting and putting an event on,” Botine said. “If the community wants it, the community should be involved.”

The future of Veishea is closely tied to the concept of Ames and Iowa State becoming one community, said Government of the Student Body President Sophia Magill.

Magill said the biggest reason for the forum is to hear different viewpoints from the entire community.

“This is a great opportunity for people who are passionate about the issue to share insight,” Magill said.

“Students are also members of the community, and I encourage them to get involved as well.”

The forum is a result of reports from the Commission on Improving Relations Among ISU Students, the University, the city of Ames and the Ames Community, and the Task Force On Assuring Successful Veishea and Other Student/Community Celebrations.

Another town hall meeting will be held March 7 to address concerns presented at Monday’s open forum.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers, 515 Clark Ave.

What: Ames town hall meeting about Veishea

Where: City Council Chambers, Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.

When: 7 p.m. Monday