NORTH AURORA DAYS
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, July 12, 2021
Call to Order
Mark Gaffino called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
Attendance
Mark Gaffino, Doug Botkin, Jessi Watkins, Holly O’Brien, David Fisher, Robyn Stecklein, Bill Hannah, and David Hansen.
Approval of Minutes
Dave Fisher made a motion to approve the June 14, 2021 meeting minutes, which were seconded by Robyn Stecklein.
Motion to Approve: All in Favor
Discussion
1. Name of Festival
North Aurora Days Chairman Mark Gaffino updated the committee regarding the name of the festival. Gaffino mentioned the name chosen at the last meeting “Fall Fest in the Park” may be too general. North Aurora Days Committee Member Jessi Watkins shared her idea of calling the event Fall Fling on the Fox. The committee discussed and ultimately switched the name of the event to “Fall Fest on the Fox,” which was one of the names discussed at the previous meeting.
2. Food Vendors
Administrative/GIS Analyst David Hansen updated the committee on food vendors. Hansen mentioned staff reached out to six vendors: Team Fib, Mario’s Pizza, Suzie’s Fun Foods, Juquilitas Tacos, Oberweis, and MaMaw’s Kitchen. Out of the six vendors, Juquilitas Tacos and MaMaw’s Kitchen were the only two that said they would like to participate. Mario’s Pizza mentioned they would like to, but would need help from the Mother’s Club or some other organization to hand out the food since they may not have the staff for it. Mario’s Pizza said they would be open to splitting some of the proceeds with the organization that would help out. North Aurora Days Committee Member Holly O’Brien said she would ask the Mother’s Club if this was something they would be interested in, but at minimum would need someone from Mario’s Pizza down at the event to handle the cash. The committee mentioned they would like to have five food vendors for the event and directed staff to reach out to the following vendors to see if they would be interested: RS Concessions, Bruno’s Cheesesteaks, Harners, Dick’s Mini Donuts, and Kona Ice. The committee also mentioned to reach out to Raimondos and Crust Culture if Mario’s Pizza couldn’t do the event.
3. Beer (ID Check, Beverage Options)
North Aurora Days Committee Member Doug Botkin updated the committee on the beer tent and beverage options. Botkin mentioned he and Holly and him will be meeting with Superior this week regarding beverage options. Botkin said the Lion’s Club should secure the insurance for the beer tent in the next week or so, which would allow them to apply for the Village’s liquor permit and the State’s liquor permits for the event. The committee also agreed all cans would be the best option for the event in regards to serving and if too much inventory was ordered it can be returned and reimbursed. Gaffino asked the committee if the ID check should charge a dollar or two this year like past years. Finance Director Bill Hannah mentioned the charge for the ID check in the past was to help pay for the fireworks. The committee ultimately decided not to charge for the ID check wristbands this year since there are no fireworks.
4. Activities (Pet Parade)
Gaffino asked the committee if there should be a pet parade this year. The committee thought it would be a neat idea to do it on Saturday, but did not know the organizers schedule and if parking would be available if the event would be done in the middle of the day in between band performances. Committee was also open to having it on Sunday or another weekend. Ultimately the committee said the Pet Parade’s day and time would be up to the organizer. The committee also mentioned they would like to lock in the Face Painter/Balloon Artist for the event. O’Brien mentioned Messenger Library sounds like they would like to hold an event in the park such as storytelling. Other committee members asked if bounce houses were feasible anywhere in the park. Watkins mentioned she would try to come up with some other possible events for kids and teenagers.
5. Sponsorships
Gaffino mentioned sponsorships were not going to be sent out this year or advertised. Hannah mentioned the event looks like it will cost around $25,000 total and can be paid out of the Village’s budget this year if the committee did not want to reach out for sponsorships.
6. Shuttle
Gaffino asked the committee about shuttle options and how he’d like to try it out this year. Hansen mentioned staff reached out to two companies: First Student and Spare Wheels. First Student hourly cost ranged from $60 to $125 an hour (no bus sizes mentioned on their website) while Spare Wheels cost $85-$125 an hour depending on size of passenger van (options included a 15, 24, 38, and 47 person van). Gaffino asked staff to come up with some locations for pickup/drop-off, a time frame it would run, number of vans, cost, and possibly a map of how it would look like by next meeting.
7. Other Discussion Items
The committee discussed the beverage truck/cooler from Superior, food/beverage tickets, and asked what the band lineup was again. Botkin and O’Brien said they would try to get dimensions and electrical info this week when meeting with Superior to see if a generator is needed for the beverage truck. The committee mentioned food/beverage tickets were not needed this year since there are no sponsors for the event. The band lineup includes: Hillbilly Rockstarz – 11am-1pm; Student Body – 2-4pm; The Moods – 5-7pm; and ARRA – 8-10pm.
Mark Gaffino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 pm, which was seconded by Dave Fisher.
Motion to Adjourn: All in Favor
Respectfully submitted,
David Hansen
