July 4th Committee (BR)

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 April 16, 2025 Village Hall (Meadows Room) 1.0 Call to Order & Roll Call- Called to order at 6:32pm. Present: N. Wilkes, E. Valaitis, R. Lindner, A. Dunning, S. Sabbatini, D. Besson, I. Thomson, Officer Henner, P. Czerwinski, K. Laufer 2.0 Minutes–Approval of March 12th, 2025, minutes (K. Laufer, A. Dunning – All Approved) 3.0 Treasurer’s Report • M. Eternicka not present- no updated report • I. Thomson to present a cost proposal for the purchase of a new sound system at the May 14th meeting. The committee will further discuss and could move to approve purchase May 14th. Committee discussed allocating the Badger Land Striders 2024 donation to cover most of the cost of the new sound system. 4.0 Safety & Security Review • Officer Henner was present for discussion. • D. Besson to have DPW add a barrier to close off 104th at Scharles Ave. at 2pm. • The committee discussed additional security options. Permits & Contracts • Contract and Deposit with Wolverine is done. • The village has contacted Milwaukee County to secure park permits including restrooms and pool house access 7/3 & 7/4. 5.0 Food and Drink Donations/Vendors • Alyssa will confirm if the donation request with Festival Foods for ice cream sandwiches has been approved. If approved by May 1st, Festival Foods will be acknowledged for their donation on the 4th of July flyer. • Food Trucks and Brewery will be in the upper Library Parking Lot. Friends of the Hales Corners Library will charge a $50 fee for food Vendors and a $100 fee for the Beer Vendor, plus a $150 refundable security deposit. • Nancy will run the Library Board contract for vendors by the Village’s attorney for approval before submitting to vendors. • Nancy shared an update that KT’s Wok will not be at Hales Corners this year. In & Out Foods and Perspective Brewery plan to return along with an ice cream/cotton candy vendor. N. Wilkes is still looking for a Taco Truck. • In & Out Foods would like to locate in the lower Library lot during the parade and then move to the upper parking lot after. 6.0 Events  6.1 Firecracker Four • Paulet Czerwinski and Kevin Laufer reported. • The 2025 course is being worked on as rerouting is necessary this year due to waterline replacement work. • Lt. Henner reviewed the proposed course. • The 2025 Firecracker Four Run will not be a certified run this year due to the new routing. 6.2 Car Show • Holtz and Lion’s Club are continuing planning. 6.3 Children’s Parade • A. Dunning reported. • WSD approved HCE property usage for the Village sponsored 4th of July events. • Alyssa has her volunteers. • Prime Printing will make stick on labels for the Children’s parade entrants. • Alyssa will make a new category sign for Scooters and refresh some of the other signs. • Alyssa confirmed the addition of a Best in Show award. • Alyssa will let Eileen know what medals to order. 6.4 Children’s Games • E. Valaitis reported. • Dan O’Donnell confirmed to emcee Children’s parade awards and games. • Eileen will order 200 water balloons. • Working on securing Children’s games volunteers. 6.5 Patriotic Pet Costume Contest • N. Wilkes reported. • Finalizing prizes and judges. 6.6 Pie Baking Contest • I. Thomson reported. • Eileen will order medals. • Event will run the same as in the past. 6.7 Hot Dog Eating Competition • I. Thomson reported. • Changing Start time to 12:30 pm • Same Rules • Ian will contact the Fire Department to have medical support present. 6.8 Bed Races • R. Lindner and S. Sabbatini reported. • Beds will be moved to a more accessible location. • The Bed’s wheel alignment needs to be worked on. • Rand has updated posters and rules on the committee’s Google Docs • Bed Trophies for 1st place have been ordered. • Teams will be grouped at time of entry.  • Will bring the “vintage” t shirts out of storage to hand out for free. • Discussed additional promotion day of the event. - Add to Dan O’Donnell’s announcements - Sandwich Board listing events at pool house during Firecracker Four and Children’s games. N. Wilkes to order sandwich board. - Possibly have one of the beds on sight during Firecracker Four and Children’s games for photo ops and to promote the event in order to attract additional teams. 6.9 Big Parade • M. Eternicka will coordinate with N&S Towing and oversee the review stand set. • I. Thomson reported. • Request to UW 5th quarter for parade and performance has been submitted. • Rhythm City out of MN will be in the parade. • The Hawthorn Garden Club (Wisconsin Garden Federation) which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary has agreed to be the Parade Grand Marshall. D. Besson will confirm how the name of the club should be listed. • The committee agreed on the theme of: Red, White and Bloom • T. Brinkmeier reported that there should be at least 4 floats. • The committee discussed a trophy for best float. The committee will need to establish judging criteria and who will judge. • The idea of awarding five $100 reimbursements to nonprofits to cover some of the float building costs was discussed and tabled. 6.10 Fireworks • Contract and deposit have been made with Wolverine. • Rain date was left open. 7.0 Publicity 7.1 Flyer • N. Wilkes working on updating the flyer. 7.2 Press Release • N. Wilkes will prepare a press release. Last year the Now and Journal Sentinel published old information on their 4th of July events listings. Next Meeting Date for Wednesday, May 14th 6:30 pm 8.0 Adjournment- 7:55 pm Motion by S. Sabbatini second by R. Linder