HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-18-TCC-min.pdfTOWN CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting
March 18, 2026 via Zoom Teleconference
Full Committee Members Present (quorum = 7): David Grabel and Sudha Balasuryan, Co-Chairs;Cerise Jalelian, Sandy Podgorski, Linda Dixon, Sondra Lucente, Lorain Marquis, Ashley Rooney,Sue Stering, Pam Winters
Absent: Mary Hutton, Geetha Padaki
Subcommittee Members Present: Jamie Lee, Elsie Xu, Sharon Spaulding, Brianna Bennett-Karshbaum, Bonnie Karshbaum, Bill Keim, Simon Rubenstein, Hong Xie, Sam Ang, Barry Cunha
Absent: Seema Badaya, Sub Datta
Meeting Opened
Co-Chair Sudha Balasuryan officially opened the meeting at 7:00 PM, and recited the Zoomintroduction and instructions.
Housekeeping
Co-Chair Dave Grabel welcomed Sam Ang and Barry Cunha who were appointed by the SelectBoard as Subcommittee Members of the Town Celebrations Committee. Subhrangshu (Sub)Datta was also appointed as a Subcommittee Member.
The Town Celebration Committee (TCC) 03/11/2026 meeting minutes prepared by James Leewere reviewed by Dave and approved by the TCC.
Patriots’ Day Parade
Cerise noted that the “countdown” is on and thanked all the various TCC members who arepart of the Parade Planning Subcommittee and have assisted in planning.
Parade Lineup:There are some no-fee late applicants: LexFund; Lexington Visitors Center withtrolley; LexPress; and the Lexington Highschool Marching Band. Grace Chaple applied but doesnot have a sponsor. Cerise made a motion to accept the additional units and that no moreadditional units will be allowed. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Sunday, 3/22/26 parade lineup meeting at Cerise’s, 12:30 – 2:00 PM.
The first of weekly meetings with Conventures was held on 3/16. They will help with theLexington Minutemen reenactment, the parade start, monitor parade progress, and assist atthe end of the parade.
There was discussion of some new technology for parade sign-ins.
There will be cases of water donated by Stop & Shop in the golf carts.
Dave mentioned that both John Carroll and Peter Kelly will have 3 cars in the parade.
Parade Sponsors:Lorain and Sudha report out. $32,290 was committed and $24,940 has beenreceived. The Chamber of Commerce reached out to businesses for sponsorships and has oneresponse at the platinum level sponsorship.
TCC is still waiting on a grant from the Community Endowment for Lexington, which won’t bedecided until early April.
Awards Ceremony:These will take place on Friday, April 17, 7:00 – 8:00 PM, followed by theArch lighting, 8:00 – 8:15 PM. Simon is working on the program. There will be one MC, PaulO’Shaunacy, rather than three.
Simon is getting the list of presenters for each award, and the final list of volunteers fromVO250.
The draft program for the ceremony was reviewed, and additions were suggested including thepastry breakfast held at the Greek Church. It was suggested that 350 copies of the programwould be enough.
There will be pins from VO250 for volunteers with over 10 hours. Some discussion regardinglogistics for pin distribution. There will be a table at Cary Hall with pins for volunteers.
The Youth Commission Award recipient will not be decided until early April. The signage will beordered separately.
Ambassador Program:Linda reported that there are now 56 signups constituting 28 teams; 17defined teams, and 22 solo participants forming 11 additional teams.
Linda is getting bids for new T-shirts from Tricon Sports, Vista Print, etc. The budget should bearound $1,000.
Banners:Sandy will oversee the transfer of banners from storage to the DPW. Some sponsorswill carry their own banners. Linda will inform the sponsors of the “Parade Rules.” There wereissues in the past and sponsors need to be aware of the rules (this point was reiterated).
Other Business:Memorial Day planning. Ashley noted that the Poppy Girls want to do theirprogram again. There will be a poem contest. The suggested theme is the reserve armed forces(National Guard, Army Reserves, etc.). Ashley, Linda, and Sudha will meet to discuss thisfurther.
Cerise requested “all hands-on deck” to help on 4/18 with monitoring access to the LMMFriends and Family section and the bleachers.
Meeting Adjourned, 8:03 PM
Next full TCC Meeting, 03/25/2026 starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
These minutes were faithfully recorded and submitted by Jamie Lee, TCC SubcommitteeMember