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MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent
Corey Hoen, Recreation Supervisor~/~
July 9, 2001
SUB J:
2001 4th of July Evaluation
JULY 3ra
Kiddie Parade
Approximately 800 kids participated in this year's Kiddie Parade. Wendy
Berkland and the playground staff coordinated the logistics of the parade. They
did an excellent job making sure the parade ran smoothly. The Fire Department
and the Carver County Sheriff's Department were of great assistance in helping to
ensure a safe route for all involved. Rice Krispies Treats were handed out to all
parade participants.
Trade Fair
The Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair had 33 participants this year.
The Chamber needs to have someone in charge of all logistical arrangements on
the day of the event. There were too many instances that occurred where
participants had questions and nobody from the Chamber was around to answer
their questions. We also need to evaluate their location at our festivities as their
demands for space, supplies, etc. continue to grow.
Kaptain Kirby Train Rides
This is a great event for our young kids and families! The kids seem to have a
wonderful time with this activity. I would recommend having the train rides
again for next year. We could possibly look at charging a minimal fee next year
to recoup some of our expenses.
Senior Center Open House
From all reports, the open house was a success. This is a nice addition to our
celebration and should be continued in the future.
Face Painting/Caricatures
These are popular activities and remain to be a success at our celebration. The
City retained 20% of all sales with these activities. I would recommend
continuing these activities for next year. I would also suggest adding additional
caricaturists/face painters.
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Carnival Games
The carnival games were a huge hit! The playground and concession building
staff along with some volunteers operated the games. They did a wonderful job
and were a huge asset to our celebration. We also had local Associations operate
some carnival games. The lines were extremely long at times so it would be nice
to have a few more games available for people to choose from next year.
The Medicine Show
This is an entertaining group to have intermingle with the trade fair crowd before
the Street Dance. I would definitely invite them back next year.
Water Wars
What a great couple of days for this attraction ! Water Wars had two extremely
busy days at City Center and at Lake Ann. The City took in 10% of their two-day
sales. I would recommend that we invite them back next year.
Speedway Racing
This attraction was very popular with the crowd! There was a line around the
track right up until we closed down for the night. This is a great family event and
involves very little setup. The City took in 10% of their sales. I would invite
them back next year if they were interested.
Food and Beer garden
Overall, the food vendors had a very successful night. Some of the vendors
actually ran out of food! I would strongly suggest that we add additional food
vendors. It worked out well moving the Boy Scouts down onto the street with the
other food vendors as it freed up some room under the tent. The food selections
seemed to be adequate but I would look at adding some new selections for next
year.
Live Petting Zoo
This new event was very successful. I would recommend having her back again
next year. This is an easy and inexpensive activity to run and is a great activity
for small children.
The Rockabilly Boys
This local band was a nice addition to this year's celebration. I think that most
people attending thought it was great that we involved a local youth group in our
event.
Tae Kwon Do Demo
Jeff Engel and his staff provided our audience with two entertaining
demonstrations. His students seemed to enjoy performing for our event and it is
also a great opportunity for the City to promote our Tae Kwon Do program at the
Rec. Center. If they were interested in returning next year I would invite them
back.
Pony Ride/Corral
This seemed to be a very popular attraction. I would recommend having them
back next. The lines were quite lengthy at times so we may want to look at
adding an additional pony ring next year.
Basketball Free Throw Shooting Contest
This event was quite successful too! We gave away trophies and basketballs to
the winners in five different age categories. I would recommend running this
event next year.
Chalk It Up Contest
This event was also very successful! It was a lot of fun to see the creativity that
people use to draw their square. The contest had two categories most creative and
most difficult, which Susan Marek judged. I would recommend running this
event again next year.
Street Dance
What a great performance! I think that everybody at the celebration enjoyed their
show. The band seemed to be really pleased with the new stage we rented this
year. I would definitely recommend renting the stage next year and booking
CBO.
JULY 4th
Adult Fishing Contest
There were a total of 43 participants registered in this year's contest. Everyone
that participated seemed to have a good time. The entry fee for the contest was
$10. Every participant that registered also won a door prize. I would recommend
offering this event again next year, as it is a nice activity to offer our adult
population.
Kid's Fishing Contest
A total of 100 kids participated in this year's fishing festival. All kids received a
grab bag of fishing items. We also gave away trophies and other prizes to the
winner's of the largest fish, longest fish and smallest fish in two different age
categories. The contest was run by Charlie Eiler and by our playground staff.
Sand Sculpture Contest
There were some very creative entries this year! The contest was run and judged
by Wendy Berkland and the rest of the playground staff. This is a fun activity to
add to the celebration and I would include it again in next year's celebration.
Treasure Hunt
An adult found the medallion at about 1:30 pm after the final clue was given.
This is a fun and simple event and should be included in next year's celebration.
The clue's were organized by Gina Burmeister she did a wonderful job putting the
clues together.
Hula Hoop/Limbo Contest & Duck Pond
Our playground staff ran these contests. There weren't a lot of people
participating in these events but I think those who did had a great time. These are
easy activities to coordinate so I will continue them for next year.
Fireworks
This year's fireworks were again contracted through Melrose Pyrotechnics. I
thought they put on an excellent display. The staff at Melrose continues to do a
great job coordinating all the logistics of the display. I would definitely look at
having Melrose Pyrotechnics do our show again next year.
Suggestions for 2002
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
Re-evaluate our food vendor's/number of vendors
Look at adding new and exciting activities
Work with the Chamber of Commerce on trade fair issues.
Look at adding more family orientated games/activities.
Incorporate more volunteers if possible.