Ottawa Special Events Committee met Thursday, Oct. 20.
The Special Events Committee will assist with the organization and coordination of special events in the community throughout the year and work in conjunction with the Ottawa Visitors Center to promote those events.
Here are the minutes as provided by Ottawa:
SPECIAL EVENTS MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES – OCTOBER 20, 2016
Present: Joyce Kellogg, Don Gillette, Michael Dougherty, Jani Eichelkraut, Peggy Schneider, Jim Reilly, Alaina Rivers and Nancy Stisser. Absent: Wayne Eichelkraut, Phyllis Revell
Request for Funds: Downtown merchants are hosting a new event this holiday season called a Kris Kringle Market, an event that some suburban communities do and that is based on a German tradition. It will run during the Ice Odyssey weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11. The organizers requested either $550 or $1,100 from SEC to cover wagon rides on one (the smaller amount) or both (the larger amount) of those days. The rides are free to the public.
Realizing that it’s late in the season and vendors may already have signed on to events, this first market will be a test of its popularity with possible expansion next year. Nancy reported that 10 vendor huts have been ordered, and that local breweries, bakeries, coffee vendors and the local art league have signed to occupy the huts and sell local wares.
Twelve sculptures have been ordered for Ice Odyssey, and the organization has brought back carving demonstrations which weren’t available in most recent events, for a total of 15 sculptures. Sponsors of sculptures are charged $150 for stock designs or $235 for custom designs. SEC routinely allocates $3,500 toward the cost of the ice, with the funds going to other portions of the event if sponsors assume the cost of the sculptures.
Jim asked why culinary arts classes were not considered to host the ice carving. Nancy responded that when she checked in the past, a college culinary arts program did not have sculptors. Also, she said the company that has supplied the sculptures and demonstrations in the past has contracted to do so again this year. Action: On a motion by Mike and second by Alaina, $1,100 was allocated to the event’s wagon rides.
Minutes: Minutes from the formal meeting in August, and a record of the September gathering when there was not a quorum to take formal action, were approved on a motion by Don and second by Jani.
Treasurer’s Report: There having been no new allocations, the fund stands at $4,978. Action: On a motion by Jim and a second by Mike, the report was approved.
New Business: Music in the Park parking Joyce wondered if parking spots on Jackson, which is closed to traffic during concerts, could be designated for handicapped patrons, as they had been in the past. Nancy said cones and signs would be set up ahead of time to preserve some handicapped-accessible spots.
Festival of Lights parade: Alaina had been in contact with the 2 float providers Ottawa uses. SEC will pay $2,300 for five lighted floats, and $5,100 for larger ride-on floats from the second company. The committee discussed the ride-on assignments, deciding that a fireplace scene float probably would be easiest for Santa and Mrs. Claus to navigate. Additional marchers, carolers, dance schools and floats by organizations will round out the lineup on November 25.
Old Business: Music in the Park lineup
The lineup was discussed, and committee members were given some finalists to contact as to availability. The lineup discussion will continue at the November meeting.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the committee adjourned at 6:50 p.m. The next meeting will be November 17.
Respectfully submitted by Peggy Schneider.
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