Downtown Estacada Commission reviews July 4 parade, finalizes vendor policy and advances Oktoberfest planning

The Downtown Estacada Commission on July 7 reviewed the July 4 parade results, discussed event operations and community concerns, and advanced planning for Oktoberfest and other downtown events.

Sherry, a commission member, led a recap of the July 4 parade and reported participation counts: 79 motorized entries (up from 76 last year), 34 animals (down from 38), 19 floats (down from 28) and 28 big rigs. She said there were no injuries and praised traffic management at Shafford and Copeland. The commission scheduled a post-event debrief and a volunteer list will be used to recruit judges and event staff for future parades.

Commissioners discussed a complaint that some parade flags displayed explicit profanity. Members acknowledged freedom-of-speech limits but agreed to revise the parade application language to state that the event is a family/community event and that profanity is not appropriate for vehicles or floats taking part in children-friendly activities.

Sherry and others described operational takeaways: better pre-event recruitment of judges (to avoid the year with no float judges), use of a volunteer spreadsheet to assign defined two-to three-hour shifts rather than open-ended signups, and placement of temporary trash cans along the parade route. The commission said Tommy, a longtime volunteer, suggested adding trash receptacles and the commission agreed to seek about 15 small receptacles for the parade. For Oktoberfest the commission estimated 4–5 downtown receptacles would be sufficient in addition to a rented dumpster (Arrow Sanitation will supply the dumpster).

On waste handling, Corbin and Connie said a local recycling contact, Greg, offered to drop off collapsible garbage cans for events and arrange pickup; commissioners said they will coordinate with him for Oktoberfest and other downtown events.

On Oktoberfest planning, commissioners said Bill of Boring Brewing will manage on-site alcohol service, Lynn from Timbertown Grub will coordinate food vendors, and organizers expect to open vendor applications around August 1. Commissioners discussed vendor categories (the vendor policy was updated to add beauty and fashion products) and confirmed safety requirements such as covered cords and fire extinguishers will remain application requirements rather than listed on the general policy document.

The commission discussed a request from a tattoo artist interested in a vendor booth; members indicated that beauty/fashion classification on the vendor policy would cover such vendors and noted licensing for off-site events has been worked out for previous vendors.

The commission reviewed the final 2024 budget spreadsheet and flagged several apparent errors for follow-up, including a porta-potty line item that showed $295, which staff and commissioners said is not correct for the quantity used; the group agreed to table final budget sign-off until August to verify vendor invoices.

The commission also confirmed participation details for community outreach: "Early Childhood Day" is set for Aug. 16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Clackamas River Elementary covered playground area with set-up between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m.; commissioners will bring table tents and outreach materials. Concerts in the park will continue through the month and organizers asked members to help promote those dates.

Votes at a glance - Adopt June minutes: motion "I make a motion to adopt the minutes as written." Seconded; passed by voice vote (individual roll-call not recorded).

Next steps include updating the parade and vendor applications to state no profanity for family events, confirming porta-potty invoices before finalizing the budget, recruiting judges for next year's parade and pushing vendor applications live for Oktoberfest on or about Aug. 1.