Labor Day Parade Advisory Board

Regular Meeting

Rock Island, IL · August 11, 2025

Minutes

Labor Day Parade Advisory Board Meeting Minutes August 11, 2025 Board Members present: David Diaz, Kim Nesseler, Bill Sowards, Edna Sowards, KJ Whitley, Mary Chappell Board Members absent: Erin Gehn, Grace Shirk City Staff present: Dan Gleason The tenth meeting to discuss the 41st annual Rock Island Labor Day parade was called to order at 4:32 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 August 4, 2025, Minutes A motion was made by K. Nesseler and seconded by D. Diaz to approve the August 4, 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. He reported that revenue received from sponsorships and entry fees totaled $1,050.00. Entries to Date Members took a moment to review the latest list of entries provided by D. Gleason. Ten new entries were received over the past week, increasing the total to 41 entries. A review was also made of the musical entries to date. 5. Discussion Items Among the items discussed included the location of the post parade pizza party. Three local pizzerias were considered by the board. Following discussion, a motion was made by K. Nesseler and seconded by K. Whitley to hold the post event at Huckleberry’s Pizza. The motion passed. 6. Planning #40/Staging Following a review of the promotional schedule, members discussed shifting Manager Assignments for the parade and volunteer assignments. M. Chappell stressed the need for more volunteers on parade day. Also discussed was the need for open cars to carry Citizen of the Year cagagory winners through 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 K. Nesseler and seconded by K. Whitley to adjourn. The motion passed. The meeting ended at 5:27 pm. Respectfully submitted by Mary Chappell

Agenda

Celebrating 41 Years! ROCK ISLAND LABOR DAY PARADE ADVISORY BOARD Tenth Meeting Monday, August 11, 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 August 4, 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 - Banner ✓ Parade Give-aways: Mayor-cups - yes Ribbons/no o Shirt Order: KJW managing All X o Line-up Format Changes – Dan o Decorations/add balloons/banners along route o Post parade meeting/ Vote! 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 and Golf Carts - set 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 + SANTA 7. Misc. Items of Concern All X 8. Public Comments* All X 9. Adjourn – Next meeting dates: August 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: Sharpe 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) Marching Units/Music/Horses/Attractions ✓ Rocha/Los Charros Riders No fee – paid for food @ $700 ✓ Horse & Carriage $1,500 – for horse & carriage ✓ Isa Balloons: Beginning only o Other ideas?? Mailing/Promotion Schedule for 2025 • 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.