04-16-97"FIRST NIGHT" STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 16, 1997
The "First Night" Steering Committee held its regular meeting
on Wednesday, April 16 in the Commission Chambers. Present
were: Co -Chairpersons Nancy DeCandis and Rosemary Fletcher,
Woody Winfree, Thelma Fugere, Karen Summers, Lisa Goodrich,
Suzanne Judas, Dezmond Waters, Tim and Lavinia Kubiak, Cindy
Grossberg, Nancy Wieglus, Peggy Neville, Pam Bushnell, Karin
Clark, and Carl Walker, Coordinator. Also present was guest,
Conrad Chun, Public Affairs Officer with Mayport NAS.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM and introductions
were made by those present. Karen Summers moved to approve
the minutes of the last meeting, Peggy Neville seconded and
the motion carried.
Lisa outline tentative plans for the event programming. She
stressed that it was hoped that the entertainment could be
more well rounded to include other cultural arts in addition
to music. Plans are to begin the celebration about an hour
before sunset with a procession. The locations used last
year would be utilized as well as additional areas which will
allow for double the number of attendees. The use of tents
at Russell Park and possibly at Bull Park and the A.B. school
were suggested.
Karin outlined the children's events which are being planned
and which are expanded from last years, especially in the
area of the interactive play market. The need for activities
for youngsters age 10-15 years old was discussed.
Peggy Neville advised that the only new information from the
volunteer committee was that a chairperson, Cindy Sullivan,
has agreed to head the decorations group.
For operations/logistics, Thelma Fugere advised that it would
be necessary to find a way to protect the rental equipment
(i.e. tents, chairs, lights, etc.) from the conclusion of the
event until January 2 when they could be picked up. Some
suggestions were made to ensure such security. Thelma also
recommended that someone be assigned the task of arranging/
supervising the hayride transportation. She is also contin-
uing to secure a listing of food vendors with a selection of
food for different age groups and to be at different site lo-
cations. The need for electrical sources was also discussed.
Pam Bushnell reported on publicity and showed the group the
supply of stationery which she has secured as a donation. It
will be kept in Carl's office and be available, as needed.
The printed "Call for Artists" will be ready at the end of
this week from a local printer. There was discussion on
whether payment should be offered to a graphic artist for de-
sign work of posters, buttons, etc.
Rosemary Fletcher gave a report furnished by Barbara Benisch
on fund raising efforts. It listed status on contacts made
to several businesses with suggestions on follow-ups. A dis-
cussion followed as to who would be responsible for future
contacts to these companies in the Barbara's absence. Plans
for soliciting funds from individual donors were also dis-
cussed. It was reported that Henny Schoonover and Suzanne
Judas are both willing to host parties at their homes for
this purpose. A listing of perspective donors to be invited
as guests needs to be compiled and dates for the fund raisers
should be established. It was decided that there is a defi-
nite need for a fund raising committee to handle these - and
other - tasks of this important part of staging the event.
Nancy DeCandis informed the group of the upcoming summer art
classes being sponsored by the Cultural Arts Board. Karen S.
also mentioned the art exhibit currently being held at the
A. B. Elementary school, also sponsored by the Arts Board.
Nancy D. advised that the next regular meeting would be the
third Wednesday of the month, May 21. There was no further
business and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
_boortb(-
Carl Walker
Board Coordinator