DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne Downtown Redevelopment Authority hopes to work with the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce for upcoming Jubilee Festivals, but the entity is not sure how receptive the chamber will be to the proposition.

The authority hopes to work with the chamber to bring in more local merchants in Olde Towne Daphne to give the festival more of an identity in the coming years.

“I just don’t know if it has an identity,” said Katherine Zito, president of the group.

The group claimed that the main reason for the festival was to raise money for the chamber while showcasing Daphne.

However, the authority contended that showcasing more local merchants instead of only out-of-town merchants would not hurt the festival.

“I think the main people we have to hear from are the merchants,” Zito said. “Maybe the Beer and Wine Festival could coincide with the Jubilee Festival or something like that.”

The Jubilee Festival is an annual, fall family-friendly event that features arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, carnival food and children’s activities.

Vino e Birra — a beer and wine store just off Main Street — held its Beer and Wine Festival Oct. 9 to raise money for Smile Train, a non-profit organization that helps pay for surgeries of children with cleft lip and palates.

Zito said she wants Darrelyn Bender, the chamber’s president, to come to the authority’s next meeting at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 22 at City Hall.

Bender was not available for comment on the issue.

Also Monday, the authority:

*Motioned to build a website and Facebook page for the group.

*Discussed the master plan for redevelopment of Main Street in downtown Daphne.