Labor Day Parade Advisory Board
Regular MeetingRock Island, IL · July 21, 2025
Minutes
Labor Day Parade Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2025
Board Members present: David Diaz, K. Nesseler, Grace Shirk, Bill Sowards, Edna Sowards, KJ Whitley, Mary
Chappell
Board Members absent: Erin Gehn
City Staff present: Dan Gleason
The eighth meeting to discuss the 41st annual Rock Island Labor Day parade was called to order at 4:33 pm.
The meeting was held in the conference room at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center or RIFAC.
I. Introductions
2. Additions to the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
3. Approval of July 7, 2025, Minutes
Under #5 Discussion Items, it was noted Mayor Harris’ name was listed incorrectly. A motion was made by B.
Sowards and seconded by G. Shirk to approve the July 7 , 2025, minutes as corrected. Motion passed.
4. Treasurer’s Report
D. Gleason passed out the Parade Budget Tracking sheet and confirmed no new expenses for the month. He
did report on organizing the parade inventory using clear totes, which will greatly assist on parade day.
Entries to Date
Members took a moment to review the latest list of entries provided by D. Gleason. The total now stands at
23 entries. A review was also made of the musical entries to date. G. Shirk noted that the Townships would
be donating $500.00 each for music – not a specific band. Sponsorship letters need to be sent. M. Chappell
confirmed that the Los Charros horse group would be participating in the parade again this year.
5. Discussion Items
Board members reviewed items listed in the discussion section. The decision was made to not order ribbons
for participants this year. K. Whitley and G. Shirk will work on ballons or other decorations for the Citizen of
the Year vehicles. D. Gleason is working on format changes for the line-up. There was discussion about how
to best utilize the Radio Club members for the parade. Instead of asking for feedback at the post parade
event, volunteers will be asked to submit comments in writing, or via QR Code.
6. Planning #40/Staging
Board members reviewed the promotional schedule for the event. M. Chappell asked if any of the announcers
would like to prepare the announcer’s notebook. After some discussion, B. Sowards agreed to prepare the
notebook with help from E. Sowards. M. Chappell will provide a flash drive with copy of notebook pages and
other content. It was confirmed that a meeting for parade volunteers will be held the Saturday before the
parade, 9:30 am, at Washington Junior High School (west side). Members were reminded to recruit
volunteers. K. Nesseler confirmed she and M. Nesseler would be available to help in the C-lot and assist with
collecting the various parade materials at the end of the parade.
7. Misc. Items of Concern
No Items were presented.
8. Public Comments
No one from the public was present at the meeting.
9. Adjournment
With nothing further to discuss, a motion was made by G. Shirk and seconded by K. Whitley to adjourn. The
motion passed. The meeting ended at 5:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Chappell
Agenda
Celebrating 40 Years!
ROCK ISLAND LABOR DAY PARADE ADVISORY BOARD
Eighth Meeting
Monday, July 21, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Conference Room – RIFAC
Agenda
Topic Who Vote Inform
1. Welcome – Introductions Mary X
2. Additions to the Agenda? All X
3. Approval of July 7, 2025, meeting minutes All
4. Treasurers Report
• Review Budget Report
• Budget for 2025: $16,750 2024: $24,000/Actual $25,000 Dan X
• Entries to date + Music
5. Discussion Items
o Music Sponsorship funding: HS/Univ. up to $550
o Parade Dedication Yes – Valley Construction/100th Year
o Parade Give-aways: Mayor-cups - yes Ribbons?
o Shirt Order: KJW managing All X
o Line-up Format Changes – suggestions made
o Decorations/add balloons/banners along route
o Post parade meeting
6. Planning #40 – Staging
✓ Theme: “Rockin’ the Arts”
o Promotion schedule – see second page + Press Releases
✓ Online Registration/Parade Route Map
✓ Announcer Confirmation – Bos Electronics set
o Citizen of the Year program: Carriage set – need cars
o Attractions: Weinermobile, Big Wheel Bicyclists, Horses + All
o School Meetings: WJHS and RIHS + Teachers
o Post parade Clean–up: Youth Services Bureau – pay $400
o Porta Potties/Golf Carts /Pizza & Subs – or ?
o Secure Flatbeds
o Secure Volunteers – Review areas
o Board Membership – Need 1 more
7. Misc. Items of Concern All X
8. Public Comments* All X
9. Adjourn – next meeting date: July 21,2025 Public
Dates to Remember: Parade Day - September 1, 2025
Thanks for your support of this great Rock Island event! ☺
2025 Musical/Attractions/Other Entries
Musical Groups Fee range: $350/$400/$450/$500/$800*
2025 Sponsorship fees change: University and High School Bands: $550 7/25
Fee Sponsor
University Bands
• St. Ambrose University $550
High School Bands: $550 (increased in 2018)
• RIHS (2026 100th year!) $550 McDonald’s of RI - set
• Rockridge $550 Wheelan-Pressly - set
• Moline ? $550
Flatbed Favorites: Fee $350/$450 with flatbed and driver
1. Mueller Band/Royal Pop / $350 Flatbed/Driver:
2. Sheltered Reality Band/ x2 ? Flatbed /Driver:
3. Big River Brass Band / $350 Flatbed /Driver:
4. Lee Blackmon / $350 Flatbed /Driver:
5. Grey Wolf (place early)/ $500 Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor: Townships ?
6. Audelia G and DJ Guerreo $ Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor: Carmen’s Jewelry?
Past: Flatbed provider options: QC Towing, Monson, Sharpe, R&D Towing / Some drivers paid $100 (from donation)
TBD: Marching Units/Music/Horses/Attractions
✓ Rocha/Los Charros Riders No fee – paid for food @ $700
✓ Horse & Carriage $1,500 – for horse & carriage
o Isa Balloons: Beginning (Council and Citizens) Announcer booths ??
o Other ideas?? Dynamic Status group? / MetroSteppers / Military units/bands?
Mailing/Promotion Schedule for 2025
✓ ASAP: March: Post card mailing: Save the Date, theme announcement.
✓ ASAP: Invite sent to high school and other bands.
✓ June: First mailing sent to past parade participants and others not on the previous year’s list.
✓ Entry link placed on City Website (includes link to entry form and Parade Map)
✓ July: Second post card sent to remind past participants of entry deadline.
• August: Entry placement mailing/WHBF promo/ Press Release
• Entry staging mailing – EMAIL
• Ongoing: Facebook posts
*PUBLIC COMMENT - Members of the Public are permitted to speak after standing and stating their names. Public comment will be limited to 3 minutes per person, per subject. Board response to public comment is not
required. Comments can be emailed up to Noon on day of meeting to marychapp2002@gmail.com Please type Public Comment in the subject line and these comments will be read at the meeting. Any person with
disabilities who wishes to attend and requires a special accommodation should notify Mary Chappell, at marychapp2002@gmail.com, at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.