NORTH AURORA DAYS
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 10, 2022
Call to Order
Mark Gaffino called the meeting to order at 6:29 pm.
Attendance
Mark Gaffino, Holly O’Brien, Jessi Watkins, Robyn Stecklein, Steve Bosco, Christine Wagner and David Hansen
Approval of Minutes
Jessi Watkins made a motion to approve the December 13, 2021 meeting minutes, which was seconded by Holly O’Brien.
Motion to Approve: All in Favor
Discussion
1. Discussion of Bands
North Aurora Days Chairman Mark Gaffino confirmed the festival hours are 5pm to 11pm on Friday and 3pm to 11pm on Saturday. Administrator Steve Bosco confirmed the times for the bands slots are 5:30pm to 7:30pm and 8:30pm to 11pm on both Friday and Saturday. The Committee reviewed a narrowed down list from the previous meeting, which consisted of a dozen bands. Upon discussion the committee selected the following lineup: The Jolly Ringwalds (Friday 5:30pm to 7:30pm), Whiskey Romance (Friday 8:30pm to 11:00pm), Second Hand Soul Band (Saturday 5:30pm to 7:30pm), and Hello Weekend (Saturday 8:30pm to 11:00pm). The Committee discussed providing kids’ entertainment around 3pm on Saturday until 5pm, which could include a Mr. Freeze type of event, a kid’s genre band, or potentially a performer such as a kid’s magician or something of that nature. Committee member Jessi Watkins mentioned the Library may be a good resource to reach out to regarding kid’s entertainment.
2. Discussion of North Aurora Days 2022
Chairman Gaffino asked the committee what events should be part of the festival. The group discussed potential events, which included the touch-a-truck/safety coalition event at Mooseheart, a fishing derby, softball tournament, car show, bags tournament, and dodgeball. Watkins mentioned she would like to have the Run for the Riverfront, but didn’t know if there would be enough volunteers to hold it and suggested looking into a company to run the race. Robyn Stecklein asked what vehicles did the committee prefer to have at touch-a-truck and shared some ideas regarding other community’s and organizations that could potentially participate. Watkins shared the idea of having a water wars event, which would include water balloons.
Bosco shared with the committee staff is still working on locking in food vendors, shuttle planning, and plan on securing tents in the near future. Bosco shared Quality Concerts will be providing the stage, audio and lighting again and it will be the final year of the three year contract the Village has in place with them. Chairman Gaffino asked staff to look into a laser show that is similar to Oswego’s. The committee decided to talk sponsorships and the details associated with it at an upcoming meeting.
Mark Gaffino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 pm, which was seconded by Jessi Watkins.
Motion to Adjourn: All in Favor
Respectfully submitted,
David Hansen
