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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-24-TCC-min Town Celebrations Committee Minutes of Meeting January 24, 2018 The Parker Room, Lexington Town Hall Members Present Lorain Marquis, Chair; June Baer, Suzanne Caton, Kim Coburn, Linda Dixon, Carol Flynn, Karen Gaughan, Mary Hutton, Paul Jenkins, Sondra Lucente, Julie Miller, Bill Mix, Geetha Padaki, Sandy Podgorski, Sue Stering. Members Not Present Glen Bassett, Cerise Jalelian, Wayne Miller, Henry Murphy, Gina Rada, Dave Taylor, Bob Tracey, Sam Zales. Business • The meeting was called to order at four minutes past 7. • The minutes of January 10th, 2018 were approved unanimously. • The next meeting will be held on February 06, 2018 in the Parker room of the Town Office Building. Patriots Day 2018 • Ernest Pearlstein attended the meeting to explain the Shriners' proposal to have all of its 9 to 11 units participate in this year's parade or a total cost of between $6,000 and 7,000, although he indicated more than once that they would gladly accept more money. The different units would include, the brass band (about 15 performers), the oriental band (about 12 performers), The clowns, speed trucks, temple guard marchers, three-wheel tricycles, motorcycles and the fire brigade. He estimated that the Shriners would provide at least 200 participants for the parade. The bands would not march but would ride on flatbed trucks. The last time all units participated in our parade was 2005. • After Mr. Pearlstein left, there was some discussion about asking the Elks if they would like to sponsor the Shriners, as they used to, or if perhaps Busa and/or other sponsors would want to fund the Shriners. • Kim then reported on the Westfield marching band. There would be two buses of kids. The plan was for them to center their trip to Boston around Lexington. They plan to stay at the Double Tree Inn in Bedford. The group has requested two things - an opportunity to view the re-enactment and a pancake breakfast. Paul spoke with the Baptist Church that indicated it could accommodate all of them. St. Brigid's can accommodate them, as long as it isn't right after the re-enactment. The decision was made unanimously to have the group for our parade. Lorain would ask Carl Valente for permission to cordon off an area for the kids to be able to view the re-enactment. We would split up the group of about 115-120 among the three venues for pancake breakfast so that we don't favor any venue. It was also decided to ask the group to give a short-half-hour concert- between noon and 1 pm the day of the parade. Lorain will seek permission from the Selectmen for the band to perform on the Green at that time. • Mary reported that Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drum were planning to participate in this year's parade. There are about 40 members in this group. They would also want to be able to view the re-enactment and would want pancakes, but would pay for them themselves. They have asked $2,000 and could be willing to do a concert on Saturday. Bill Mix suggested a good time for the concert would be 3pm at Tower Park before the-enactment there. This would also require Selectmen approval. • Sondra Lucente said the woman who owns the mini horses has agreed to participate and that the horses will be dressed like patriots. • Bill Mix informed the Committee that the University of Massachusetts Lowell Marching Band would not be able to march in the parade. • Kim suggested that if we did not have the Clydesdales this year, that also cost about $6,000, we could afford the Shriners. Sondra agreed to talk to Wilsons about not having the Clydesdales. The Committee unanimously agreed to invite the Shriners combined groups at a cost of$6,000. Sondra was to contact Mr. Pearlstein. • The Committee also agreed to invite the Windjammers by themselves to participate in the parade. The group's promoter had offered to provide a bigger group this year. The feeling was we had enough larger groups this year. • Geetha said she hoped to have at least three dancers from each of the ethnic groups in town to participate in the parade, thereby advertising for the next Dance Around the World. • We want to be welcoming to tour buses and visitors. More work needs to be done to secure parking both for buses and visitors. Sondra will ask the people at One Militia Drive if they can provide some parking. There was discussion about asking other organizations/businesses in town for help with parking as we did last year, such as Grace Chapel and the Masonic Headquarters. Dance Around the World 2018 • Geetha reported that she in hoping to have the next event next October/November. She may need help in getting a facility. Other Business • Lorain asked for thoughts about how to get new members. She asked people to think about asking businesses to assign an employee to serve on the committee. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Mary Hutton, Co-Secretary