McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove Special Events Committee met June 11

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

• Meeting called to order at 7:05om by Angie Gunn.

II. ROLL CALL

• Members Present: Seana Barnett, James Brouder III, Angie Gunn, Elizabeth Hanahan, Lisa Smith

• Members Not Present: n/a

• Others: n/a

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

A. none

IV. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES

A MOTION was made by Lisa to approve minutes from October 9, 2024. MOTION seconded by Seana. All in favor. MOTION carried

V. Parks Fundraiser

A. Set-up to begin at 12pm and 4 of 5 will be in attendance

B. Operational pieces entail:

1. Spinning drum sourced for tickets

2. Layout will be same from previous year

3. Payments:

a) Square for credit payments day of event

b) Cash box for cash payments day of event

C. Public Works managing:

1. Ordered tables, tents, portable restrooms, etc.

2. Various areas will be roped off by Public Works

3. Checking to see if tent can be placed in parking lot

4. Need to see if coolers available for custard

5. Will see if lights will be hung in shelter

D. Attendees get at entry:

1. One ticket per person for 1

1. Koozie, which are on order meal bundle item

2. Donation tables will have table clothes

E. Food - Brothers BBQ and desserts confirmed

1. Need to follow up on payment

F. Entertainment - River show cannot happen this year

G. Prize details:

1. Baskets and donations - will be organized with descriptions

2. Raffle prizes - items pulled from Public Works such as street signs, bricks, hats, etc. and will be organized

3. 50/50 raffle - will be considered

H. Social media posts to be created and have scheduled post leading up to event

1. Reminder that it is a BYOB

2. Provide the BBQ menu options

3. Showcase pictures of prizes

I. Clean-up starts at 9:30pm

II. Fireworks

A. Date - July 12

B. Attendance - all SEC members will plan to attend

C. Vendors - food trucks this year, 2 are new to the fest

D. SEC booth - team will consider handing out something to greet guest at entrance

E. Entertainment:

1. Games: blow-ups are an option but need monitoring; SEC to look into volunteers

2. Face painter & balloon artist: not ideal due to long lines (complaints from previous years), but will consider

3. McHenry County K9: scheduled to perform

F. Layout - will schedule meeting w/Public Works

G. Anthem - will book Brandy Braxton

H. Fireworks Music - SEC to put together a playlist during fireworks

III. Fall Fun

A. Date - October 18

B. Event Name - may consider changing

C. Haunted Forest - new lead taking over organizing and confirmed will do on same day as SEC event

D. Vendors - email is teed up to be sent to last year's vendors for participation

E. Chili Cookoff - Health Department does not allow and will inform the Rec Council of this news

IV. Pumpkin Decorating Contest

A. Overview provided to committee of what is involved

B. Looking to continue this event but will discuss further at future meetings

V. Fall House Decorating Contest

A. Overview provided to committee of what is involved

B. Looking to continue this event but will discuss further at future meetings

VI. Tree Lighting

A. Overview provided to committee of what is involved

B. Looking to continue this event but will discuss further at future meetings

VII. Holiday House Decorating Contest

A. Overview provided to committee of what is involved

B. Looking to continue this event but will discuss further at future meetings

VIII. 2026 Meeting Dates

A. Typically, SEC does not meet in new year until March/April, but changes to this will be discussed at upcoming meetings

IX. Other Business

A. Interest in reigniting the winter business parade which will be discussed at future meetings.

B. Special Events meeting time voted on to move from 7pm to 6:30pm going forward. Motion made by Elizabeth, and seconded by James.

X. ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION was made by Elizabeth to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 PM. MOTION and seconded by Angie. Allin favor. MOTION was carried. NEXT MEETING: July 9 at 6:30pm.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/foxrivergrove/document%20center/Minutes/Special%20Events%20Commission%20Minutes%206-11-2025.pdf