7.b) Staff Report-Vinterfest Planning
STAFF REPORT
Date of Meeting: November 3, 2014
To: Parks and Recreation Committee
From: Judi Negus, Office Assistant
Re: Vinterfest 2015 Planning
Background:
The Parks and Recreation Committee began planning for Vinterfest 2015 at its August 4, 2014
meeting. Since then, the PRC and City Council approved the “Saami” theme for Vinterfest 2015.
Zauner and Negus have been meeting with Pam Arnold and presenting information to the
Committee. Zauner and Negus last met with Arnold on October 17, as well as with Lynne
Moratzka and Katy Herman. Negus proposed a new skating program at the October 8, 2014
PRC meeting that would be taught by Herman. The goal of the “Saami” skating program would
be to put on a choreographed performance during Vinterfest on Friday, February 6, 2015.
Issue:
The Parks and Recreation Committee should review the numbered updates below and make
recommendations and guidance in how to proceed.
Proposal Details
Zauner prepared the following information after he and Negus met with Vinterfest planning
members.
1. The pleasure rink at the Community Center is too small for the Saami figure skating
performance. Skating around trees may be entertaining, but dangerous. Herman
prefers the event take place at the pond south of Gammelgarden if it can be worked
out. Herman will check with Prairie Restoration to see if walking over the prairie in the
winter will harm the vegetation. If the performance can't be on Gammelgarden
grounds, the second preference would be to flood the area by the Community Center
playground.
2. A luminary loppet Friday night was proposed. The route would go around the
established loppet trail and end at the Community Center. The Community Center
gathering would be a purchase ticket event with the proceed s split between the
Veteran's Memorial fund and PRC Vinterfest/Lilleskogen fund. Gammelgarden will
organize the refreshments and entertainment, and include the cost in the price of the
luminary.
3. It was suggested the fireworks display be held on Friday night to coincide with the
luminary event instead of the time delay from Saturday's events.
4. The planning committee will attempt to get the authors of "The Christmas Wish", which
is about a girl and reindeer, to come to Vinterfest.
5. The committee is trying to find reindeer to be located at Lilleskogen.
6. Proposed adding a sponsor category for $250 donation to the Sponsor Information
sheet. The $250 donation would sponsor a question for the Quiz Promenade and get a
birch tree trunk Tomte to display in front of their place of business to designate they are
a sponsor. The Tomtes will be made by Gammelgarden and collected at the end of
Vinterfest for next year’s use.
7. New stakes are needed for the Quiz Promenade. (Martin Halvquist provided the stakes
used last year, which were returned to Halvquist.)
8. Zauner shared the Vinterfest 2015 Print Wish List with Rapid Press Printing. Stev Stegner
agreed to print everything on the wish list at no cost, with the exception of the b anners
and laminating. The banners would cost $84 each for a 3’ x 7’ banner and $144 each for
a 3’ x 12’ banner. The cost for laminating would be $35.
9. Pam Arnold drafted a sponsorship flyer Committee members can use to solicit
Lilleskogen park and Vinterfest donations. Be sure the sponsor lists what the donation is
for in the memo line of the check.
Fiscal Impact:
The Committee recommended the City Council approve an “Events” budget of $1,000 for 2015 ,
with $600 earmarked for Vinterfest expenses; $400 to cover advertising and printing expenses
and $200 to cover additional expenses.
Recommendation:
The Committee should advise Zauner and Negus how to proceed.