Labor Day Parade Advisory Board
Regular MeetingRock Island, IL · August 4, 2025
Minutes
Labor Day Parade Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2025
Board Members present: David Diaz, Erin Gehn, K. Nesseler, Grace Shirk, Bill Sowards, Edna Sowards, KJ
Whitley, Mary Chappell
Board Members absent:
City Staff present: Dan Gleason
The ninth meeting to discuss the 41st annual Rock Island Labor Day parade was called to order at 4:31 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 21, 2025, Minutes
A motion was made by B. Sowards and seconded by K. Nesseler to approve the July 21, 2025, minutes as
presented. Motion passed.
4. Treasurer’s Report
D. Gleason passed out the Parade Budget Tracking sheet and confirmed no new expenses for the month.
Entries to Date
Members took a moment to review the latest list of entries provided by D. Gleason. The total now stands at
31 entries. A review was also made of the musical entries to date.
5. Discussion Items
Items discussed included an update from K. Whitley on the volunteer and manager shirts. D. Gleason
reviewed new format options for the line-up. The location of the post parade pizza party will be voted on at
the next meeting.
6. Planning #40/Staging
Board members reviewed the promotional schedule for the event. M. Chappell reported that information has
been provided to the schools for this year’s event. Included securing certificates of insurance for the use of
Washington Junior High and Rock Island High School. There was discussion regarding board members moving
to other key staging locations. M. Chappell stressed the need for more volunteers to assist on parade day.
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 K. Whitley and seconded by D. Diaz to adjourn. The
motion passed. The meeting ended at 5:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Chappell
Agenda
Celebrating 41 Years!
ROCK ISLAND LABOR DAY PARADE ADVISORY BOARD
Ninth Meeting
Monday, August 4, 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 21, 2025, meeting minutes All X
4. Treasurers Report
• Review Budget Report
Dan X
• Budget for 2025: $16,750 2024: $24,000/Actual $25,000
• Entries to date + Music
5. Discussion Items
✓ Music Sponsorship funding: HS/Univ. up to $550
✓ Parade Dedication Yes – Valley Construction/100th Year
✓ Parade Give-aways: Mayor-cups - yes Ribbons/no
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/ Pizza & Subs – or ?
6. Planning #40 – Staging
✓ Theme: “Rockin’ the Arts”
o Promotion schedule – see second page + Press Releases
✓ Online Registration/Parade Route Map
✓ Announcer Confirmation/Notebook Bos Electronics set
✓ Email to schools via District office
✓ Secure Facility Use: WJHS and RIHS All
✓ Post parade Clean–up: Youth Services Bureau/$400
✓ Porta Potties/Golf Carts /
o Secure Flatbeds
o Secure Volunteers – Review areas / Banner Carriers
o Citizen of the Year program: Carriage set – need cars
o Attractions: Weinermobile, Big Wheel Bicyclists, Horses +
7. Misc. Items of Concern All X
8. Public Comments* All X
9. Adjourn – Next meeting dates: August 11,18,25:
Public
Line-up meeting: 23rd Volunteer: 30th
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 TBD
High School Bands: $550 (increased in 2018)
✓ RIHS (2026 100th year!) $550 McDonald’s of RI
✓ Rockridge $550 Wheelan-Pressly - set
Flatbed Favorites: Fee $350/$450 with flatbed and driver
1. Mueller Band/Royal Pop / $350 Flatbed/Driver: Sponsor:
2. Sheltered Reality Band/ x2 ? Flatbed /Driver: Monson Tow Sponsor:
3. Big River Brass Band / $350 Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor:
4. Lee Blackmon / $350 Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor:
5. Grey Wolf (place early)/ $500 Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor: Townships
6. Audelia G and DJ Guerreo $ Flatbed /Driver: Sponsor: Carmen’s
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 only
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.