4a. 2013 February Festival Evaluation CITY OF MEMORANDUM
CHANHASSEN Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147 FROM: Mitch Johnson, Recreation Supervisor Pit
Chanhassen, MN 55317
DATE: February 26, 2013
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100 SUBJ: 2013 February Festival Evaluation
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections Food and Drink Concessions
Phone: 952.227.1180 The Chanhassen Rotary Club and Culver's operated the concessions at this year's
Fax: 952.227.1190 festival. The Rotary sold a variety of beverages including hot cocoa, pop, water,
Engineering spiked drinks, and beer; while Culver's sold burgers, fries, and cheese curds.
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Phone: 952.227.1160 Both areas were well staffed to keep the lines to a minimum, and sales were good
Fax: 952.227.1170 throughout the day. We appreciate the service of the Chanhassen Rotary Club
and extend an enthusiastic invitation to have them continue as the event
Finance concessionaires.
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110 Bonfires
Park & Recreation Similar to last year, two bonfires were placed on opposite ends of the contest area.
Phone: 952.227.1120 With the below- average temperatures, both were popular throughout the day.
Fax: 952.227.1110 There always seemed to be a crowd around them and it is recommended that we
continue to have two fires. City staff monitored the fires and spread granite chips
Recreation Center around them to prevent slippery conditions.
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404 S'more Cookout/Bait Sale
Chanhassen Boy Scout Troop #330 had another successful year selling s'more
Planning & kits and bait. Many people take advantage of the bait sales on the ice, and we
Natural Resources appreciate the service of Troop #330 and warmly welcome them back next year.
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Skating Rink
Public Works
The skating rink was a popular attraction at the festival. People of all ages
7901 Park Place utilized the ice rink throughout the day and it allowed for an alternate activity
Phone: 952.227.1300 within view of the fishing contest area. Staff recommends increasing the size of
Fax: 952.227.1310 the rink next year, plowing a skating loop, and providing more picnic tables for
spectators.
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125 Sleigh Rides
Fax: 952.227.1110 Horse -drawn sleigh rides continue to be extremely popular and provide another
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Web Site family activity not related to the fishing contest. Due to lack of snow cover on the
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us lake for the horses to gain traction, it was determined that wagon rides on the trail
towards Greenwood Shores Park was a safer option. This aspect of the festival
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Mr. Jerry Ruegemer
February 26, 2013
Page 2
Ice Fishing Demos
CampFire USA and Camp Tanadoona organized ice fishing demonstrations for all
ages. Participants were instructed on the basics of ice fishing and the equipment
that is available for the sport. Demonstrations included jigging; how to use an ice
fishing rod and reel, tip -up, and power ice auger; checking depths; and fish house
displays. This was very popular and added another activity that complimented the
event. Staff looks forward to working with Camp Tanadoona again next year.
Medallion Hunt
This year city staff, with support from the Chanhassen Beyond the Yellow
Ribbon, organized the annual Medallion Hunt. Daily clues were posted at several
locations the week leading up to Feb Fest, and the medallion was found on
Wednesday afternoon. It is recommended that we continue the medallion hunt in
the same capacity next year. This exciting aspect of the festival really creates a
buzz leading up to the event.
Ice Fishing Contest
A total of 509 fishing tickets were sold for the contest; 72 tickets were sold in
advance and 437 were sold on the ice. Ticket sales were down slightly from last
year. Over $6,000 in prizes were awarded for the top 50 fish caught by weight. A
new computer system was used to tally the results, which worked very well! Staff
is constantly searching for ways to streamline the process, thus a few minor
changes will be made prior to next year. Overall, the contest went very well with
50 fish caught, weighed, and released!
Door Prizes
The door prize format continues to be separate from the fishing contest. Everyone
in attendance received a free door prize ticket and a chance to win $3,000 in
prizes. The Chanhassen High School Key Club provided volunteers to sell
fishing tickets and distribute door prize tickets on the ice. They were very helpful
and staff would like to publicly recognize them for their efforts.
General Comments /Suggestions
• Train multiple people on the computer system to input and sort data in order
to get the results out sooner during and after the contest.
• Have volunteers work from 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., and remind them to dress
appropriately for the weather conditions.
• The Chanhassen Rotary again volunteered to drill the contest holes. This was
very generous and I will invite them back next year.
• Purchase two additional augers to speed up the hole drilling.
• Develop event posters that could be displayed at local sponsors.
• Determine if fishing contest area should be smaller to create a more intimate
atmosphere at the contest.
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