JULY 4TH COMMITTEE

4nOV Village of Hales Corners 5635 S. New Berlin Road Hales Corners, WI 53130 Phone: (414) 529-6161 www.halescornerswi.gov James R. Ryan Municipal Building JULY 4TH COMMITTEE Minutes January 21,2026 Village Hall (Meadows Room) No 1.0 Call to Order & Roll Call- N. Wilkes called to order at 6:34pm. Present: N. Wilkes, D. Besson, E. Valaitis, R. Lindner, I. Thomson, A. Dunning, O. Sterny, R. Dodd, J. Gilboy 2.0 Treasurer’s Report • 2025 Financial Report Presented • Committee acknowledged a $2,100 2025 donation from the Badgerland Striders. • D. Besson noted that additional funds were requested in the Holz Grant for this year’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation. Funding for enhanced fireworks, recruitment of more parade units and other additions. • Committee approved a motion to add $5,000 to the fireworks budget. • It was noted that 2027 will be the 75th Anniversary of The Village. • 2026 Expenses to date include $360 for five hundred flags. • D. Besson encouraged early ordering and payment requests. • D. Besson noted new flags for Village Hall and the Fire Station were ordered. Funding was not out of the 4th of July Budget. 3.0 Safety & Security Review • Officer Henner was not present. • Noted that 104th at Scharles Ave. have to be closed off during the parade line up. D. Besson will contact DPW to set up roadblocks. 4.0 Food and Drink Vendors • Discussion was had how to best handle vendors for 2026. • Possibly have vendors park on New Berlin Road • Possibly keep the beer vendor at the library 5.0 Website Review • N. Wilkes asked members to review the information for their events and let her know of any changes. 6.0 Events 6.1 Firecracker Four • R. Dodd will coordinate this year’s Firecracker Four Run. • This is the 48th run for the Firecracker Four Run. • Permit for Park Use has been submitted. • Will need to contact HC Lions about use of the Pavillion. • Use of the Pavillion on 7/3 noon-3pm for packet pick up. And 6am-11m on 7/4 for Run and Children’s Parade Ice Cream Distribution • Route should go back to the traditional run route. • T shirts will incorporate something to commemorate the 250th 6.2 Holz Car Show  • Update flyer to note Car Show is sponsored by Holz Motors 6.3 Children’s Parade • A. Dunning to contact WSD to request use of HCE outdoor spaces. Front of Godsell for Children’s parade line up and Janesville parking lot and power box for Hot Dog Eating Competition and Bed Races. • A. Dunning to submit application with Festival Foods for Ice Cream donation. • E. Valaitis will order medals. Medals to commemorate 250th. 6.4 Ice Cream & Children’s Games • E.Valaitis will coordinate volunteers with A. Dunningfor Ice Cream, Games and Patriotic Tattoos • It was suggested to reach out to Leo’s or Girl Scouts for volunteers to help with patriotic tattoos (9am-11am) • E. Valaitis will order patriotic tattoos. 6.5 Patriotic Pet Costume Contest • N. Wilkes will coordinate. 6.6 Pie Baking Contest • I. Thomson will coordinate. • E. Valaitis will order medals. 6.7 Hot Dog Eating Competition • Looking for a coordinator for this event • A. Dunning will create a Facebook post to help recruit a coordinator. • Noted to add a 3rd Table and to again bring hot dogs to heat in the pavilion during the Children’s games. • A. Dunning will request power from HCE. 6.8 Bed Races • R. Lindner reported • We need a new bed for races. • E. Valaitis to order 2nd Place Medals 6.9 Big Parade • Looking to enhance the Parade • O. Sterny will assist in searching for additional parade units. • Ian to add Nancy and Olivia to HC4thofJuly Gmail • Include more description information and/or facts about each parade unit for the parade script. • E. Valaitis will ask D. O’Donnell and Gene Mueller if they would like to emcee the Big Parade • J. Gilboy will work with parade emcees to watch the upcoming units and alert of any changes to the lineup. • It was suggested that the committee post the parade participants on Facebook. 6.10 Fireworks • Committee voted to increase the 2026 Fireworks budget by $5,000 I. Thomson made the motion, motion seconded by E. Valaitis. Motion passed unanimously. • D. Besson will take Wolverine Contract to Village Board for approval. • Rain date will be Hales Corners National Night Out 7.0 Publicity • No discussion 8.0 New In 2026 • 4th of July Committee is in charge of cleaning up the park on July 5th. • N. Wilkes will fill out the special event form for park usage. • Pavillion usage requests for 2026 will go to the HC Lions Club. • N. Wilkes will present requests to the HC Lions Club. 9.0 America 250th Enhancements Discussions • Search for Additional Parade Units • R. Lind will look into applying for a military fly over at the start of the Big Parade at 4pm • A commemorative T shirt sale. N. Wilkes will look into design and discuss running sales through Ideal Logos • A commemorative pin for volunteers • Investigate Drone Photo of the Village • I. Thomson will reach out to the Sons & Daughters of the Revolution as parade unit. • Tug of War or Cornhole competition pre fireworks. J. Gilboy will ask the Chamber Commerce for a possible sponsor and coordinator. • E. Valaitis will reach out to the Whitnall School District to see if students are writing essays or art to commemorate the 250th. Essays and Art could be displayed at Village Hall. Adjournment- 7:36 pm Motion by N. Wilkes second by E. Valaitis