2022-07-12 - Buffalo Grove Days Committee - Minutes BG Days Committee Meeting
July 12, 2022
Tara Anderson Jackie Beegun, Robert Broussard,
Arnie Brown, Jenn Foreman, Don Geno,
Shari Ginsberg, Paulette Greenberg, Howard Hoffman,
Chris Krase Ken Lazar, Adam Moodhe,
Beth Nudelman, Rodney Odelson, Les Ottenheimber,
Doug Primack, Jane Primack, Debbie Rybarczyk,
Mike Skibbe, JV Springman, Marc Spunt,
Andy Stein, Erika Strojinc, Josh Wallace,
Jim Warnstedt, Tom Wisniewski,
The meeting was called to order at 7:07.
The minutes of the last meeting were discussed. Beth made a motion to accept the minutes.
Rodney seconded the motion. The motion was carried.
Chairman's Report: Paulette Greenberg/JV Springman
Comments moved immediately into the Parade discussion.
Police: Robert Broussard/Tara Anderson/Frank Horbus
Tara stated that she gave parade marshal training to employees, for the Pride parade and is
planning on doing the same for the BG Days parade. She plans on presenting it in August
Tara stated that she has been in in Highland Park all week and has takeaways from her
experience.
Mike stated that he and Rodney have had a discussion before the meeting about the
different pieces of the parade. We need to take into consideration safety, the volunteers, the
participants, the vendors and the residents along the route. The police will provide training
and it will be open to any volunteer on site or any vendor. It will be held in the
Community Activity Center space. If you see something, report it!
Organizers, volunteers and participants safety and security are the utmost concern.
Floats: The question arises will the schools send their bands to march in the parade.
Politicians may make decisions not to participate. We need to gather data on whether they
will march.
We also need to determine how the residents along the parade route feel about the parade
in their neighborhood.
Jackie feels we should not have a parade. To honor those in Highland Park, we should do
something else.
Rodney stated that we need to consider how close Highland Park is to Buffalo Grove,
Rodney says that no parade applicants have called up asking about cancelling the parade.
He has 17 applications so far.
JV stated that our parade route is completely different than Highland Park's. There are no
high buildings,just a one level school. The rest is a residential area.
JV stated that another consideration is if there is no parade this year, will we have one next
year? Will we stop life because of a terroist shooting? If the parade does go forward, we
can try to honor the injured and dead of Highland Park. JV stated that we need to yield to
the assessment of the police. The Buffalo Grove parade is a different setting.
Adam: Adam stated that he worked a parade in Waukegan Saturday and Sunday night, 4
days after the Highland Park event. Waukegan chose to go ahead with it. Adam said that
the Police did their thing. Everything went well. We can't stop our lives completely. He
suggested a donation bucket at the info booth.
Arnie Brown: Safety and respect are the most important issues. Anything can happen
anywhere. He votes to pause it for a year.
Tara stated that the police will prepare the best they can. She said that the decision should
not be made off of the safety piece. We have similar populations. Vernon Hills Days is
this coming weekend. There is another area festival in a month. She will assess what
Vernon Hills does and bring back ideas.
Don stated that we can't bury our heads. A shooting can take place anywhere. He
suggested we put up a sign "Highland Park Strong" at the info booth.
Don also suggested that since Lake Cook Road is usually shut down for the end of the
fireworks on the 4t"' we should shut it down and use it for the parade. It would be easier to
check safety along that route.
Beth stated that Vernon Hills has no parade but has fire works for community days.
Mundelein has their community days also. We need to check how they handle this going
forward. She said she would hate to give the parade up and let terrorists win, Beth stated
that she is out there in the early morning putting up signs. She feels our parade is too soon.
If we cancel the parade, we have to pay the Shriner's either way.
Jane stated that just listening, there are a number of volunteers who seem to indicate they
would not be parade marshals this year. We already have a smaller number of volunteers
and we may not have enough parade marshals.
JV stated that BG Days and the Parade are Village events. We are volunteers. The
decision should be made by the village, not the committee. There is a big connection
between Highland Park and Buffalo Grove. JV said that we need to contact the bands,
which have not yet sent in their applications and find out if they will still march.
Beth stated that we need to contact the Village trustees and find out if they will be parade
marshals.
Rodney asked for show of hands who would be marshals. Approximately half of the
volunteer committee said yes.
Jane stated that she felt the conversation was beginning to go in circles. She suggested that
Tara gather information from the Vernon Hills festival, that Rodney finds out if the 17
applicants were still planning on attending and if the 3 area bands were still coming. The
information can be given to Les and Andy for them to take to the Village Board meeting
next Monday so that the entire Board can take a vote on where to run the parade or not.
The committee is not the group that should be making the decision about the parade
Paulette asked Andy and Les, if they both would be in the parade. Both said yes as they do
not want to give into terrorists.
It was suggested that the theme of the parade be Highland Park Strong. It was suggested
we collect money.
Les felt that the terrorist attacks occurred, n part, due to proximity and timing.
Les confirmed that as of now there is no consensus with the board.
Andy stated that there are more opportunities within the festival for terrorist attacks.
We need to make decision by the 26t' our next meeting.
It was recommended that Rodney send out inquiries if the 17 entrants will still march in
the parade.
Bobby stated that the police are proactive and will be prepared
The question was raised, are we being insensitive if we go forward with the parade.
Parade: Jackie Beegun/Rodney Odelson
As of Monday, Rodney has received 17 applications for the parade.
Rodney will contact all 17 entrants to see if they will be marching. He will also contact the
bands to see if they will still be marching.
Mobile Com: Paul Zucker
Paul was not able to attend.
Paul emailed his budget sheet to Jane who forwarded it on to Mike Skibbee.
Adam talked about the camera mount for the fitness center roof He asked who to send the
info for the Grainger camera cost.
Mike will meet with Erika about the budget.
Adam asked who will buy the needed equipment. Tom Wisniewski will.
Fun and Food: Debbie Verson/Judy Samuels
Debbi and Judy were not present. Their report was emailed to Jane.
RKCRD has the following updates:
• They reviewed the website & mobile version and provided some feedback to Mike
T. this morning. He will take care of any updates later this week.
• The link for Fun and Food registration is in the works. Judy has been in contact
with the individuals working on it. When it is ready, she will share with Mike T. to
add to the website.
• Judy responded to one BG Days Fun and Food email question which was
forwarded to her.
• They are working on the Courtesy Shuttle schedule. The Village will order two 6
seaters.
The had a question about the baseball game. Paulette responded for the baseball game.
spectators are being asked to park on LaSalle St. If you are a participant/have handicap
plate or plaque, there is room in the parking lot next to the ball field.
Fire Department: Joe Welter
Joe was not present.
Sponsorship: Wendy Friedman/Mike Terson
Erika reported that they have brought in $29,000 so far, with more coming. Wendy will be
reaching out to Mike Skibbe for a couple of sponsors secured last year by the Village.
They are working on cup/wristband quantities so they can order with sponsor logos on
them.
Public Works: Chris Klass
Chris reported that everything is progressing as normal.
Food Trucks: Amanda Busch/Megan Baird/Don Geno
Currently they have received 14 out of 17 applications. There will be 14 trucks there on
Friday, 16 on Saturday, 16 on Sunday, and at least 1 on Monday(Rise & Dine). Based on
feedback from the last committee meeting, they will try and secure another 2-3 for
Monday. Right now, 2-3 of the food trucks will need power throughout the weekend.
They will be working on a true-to-scale layout to ensure they have enough space with the
bathrooms and the 20x20 accessibility tent.
On Monday, Kona Ice will stay along with Rise and Dine after the Car Show and move
into lunch mode.
Beverages/Beer Sales: Dani Hoefle/TJ Wilkes
They have 2 trailers secured from Kloss. Kloss has indicated that everything is back in
stock with no supply chain issues right now. They are meeting with Kloss soon to decide
on drink options. Licenses are secured from the Village and the State. They are still trying
to secure a non-alcoholic supply with the hope of returning any leftover product. Liquid
Love and BG Days beer is still in the works, and they are meeting with them next week.
They will be adding an additional sales line this year (last year there was two). They
would like to make sure an ice chest is being ordered.
Mike asked Paulette to pass the information on to the Village regarding the ice purchase
from previous years.
Business Fair/Arts and Crafts: Brad Schencker
Paulette stated that she has reached out to Brad a number of times and he has not returned
her messages.
Andy stated that he has talked to Brad, who stated he is half way to the 40-50 booth goal.
When asked, Andy said he believes most of the booths are Business Fair. There are no
power concerns for the Business Fair.
Set Up/Take Down: Public Works
No report.
Kids Craft Tent: Lindsay Grandt/Brian O'Malley/Jimmy Mix/Jane Primack
Erika reported that they are calling the event Kids 90 for the 90 minutes it will run. It is
still being planned. They have face painters and Gary the Magician who will be doing
magic and balloon animals. Entertainers are being secured through Bass-Schuler. The
plan is an entertainer from 1:30— 2:15 pm and Big Deal/Studio 83 performances from
2:30-3 pm. Jane stated that there is a planned meeting on Thursday morning with the Park
District team to review the craft portion of the event..
Grilling Challenge: Don Geno
Don stated that he has 3 entries with 9 plates total submitted. He has sponsors.
Entertainment: TJ Wilkes/Mike Terson
Erika reports that there is nothing new in regards to the bands/line-up. They have secured
a green room space inside the Fitness Center. They will have a porta potty, a pop-up tent,
a table, and some chairs behind the stage as well for the band family/friends attending.
Technical Production: Doug Primack/Adam Moodhe
Adam stated that in regards to the camera, they are back to renting. It is out for bids. One
of bidders will be the sound company. All bids are due back to Adam tomorrow morning.
Mike states that he has started discussion about various entities in the village providing
video for the boards.
Marketing/Publicity Mike Terson/Jennifer Johns/Wendy Friedman/Marc Spunt
Erika states that the website is live. She asked that committee members please send an
email to marketinggbgparks.org for any changes/updates. Mike is out of town this week,
but will be back next week to address anything. Ericka reported that she received an
inquiry on BG Days being in the Park District brochure. Erika explained that they work 6
months ahead, so next year, we will include information on the event. In the past, we had
a page that highlighted the parade and the Stampede, but since the Stampede is no longer
running and parade was not decided yet, they had removed it. Erika will talk to Mike T.
about putting it back in something more general about BG Days.
Clicks and Shutters: Marian Rodriquez
Marian states that her friend photographer has backed out. Adam will try to help when he
can.
Car Show: Marian Rodriquez
Paulette has the flyers for the Car Show. They need to be added on the website.
Marian states that she has attended car shows in Mundelein, Lake Zurich, and Palatine and
passed out flyers. She will get the flyer on the website.
Information Booth Debbie Rybarczyk
Debbi has no report.
Carnival: Paulette Greenberg
Paulette states that she has the tentative carnival layout,
The Ferris wheel, the carousel and other ride and the ticket booths will be on the west
parking lot. The rest of the carnival will be on the east side near the golf dome.
The wrist band will cost $35, coupons $1.25 each, sheets of coupons will cost $20. There
are no advance sales. This was minimally used. There is a mega pass this year for $70 for
the whole weekend.
Village Liaison: Mike Skibbe
Mike statesthat they have covered all the safely, security and parade concerns.
Trustee Liaison: Andy Stein/Les Ottenheimer
Les states that he looks forward to getting the information to make a decision about the
parade.
Andy stated that he will try to get the decision about the parade on the Village Board
meeting agenda. The meeting is next Monday and will be either in person or zoom,
depending on the health of the trustees. He hopes to provide the Board decision to the
committee after that meeting.
Your 2 Cents Worth: All committee members
Paulette stated that there are 5 meetings in August. She questioned the need for that many.
It was decided to eliminate August 2nd and the 23rd.
Rodney made a motion to adjourn. Jackie seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Primack
Secretary
Remaining meetings
July 26 August 16
August 9 August 30
BG Days 2022 September lst through 5th, 2022