Committee chairs gave updates on float-site cleanup, construction maintenance, souvenir pins and volunteer needs ahead of summer events.

Why it matters: Site cleanup, equipment readiness and volunteer staffing determine whether the committee can build and present the float on schedule and staff fundraisers and community events.

At the June 3 meeting, Brandon Carlson reported a productive May: volunteers and the construction team cleaned the lower basement and the Arroyo container; shelving acquired from Fiesta was installed for deco materials. Brandon said the forklift had been repaired for brakes and transmission problems and was scheduled for delivery back to the site the day after the meeting.

Deco lead Janet Benjamin described a successful cleanup day when seven volunteers reorganized the deco container and moved materials from a temporary storage unit into long-term storage on site. She said the yard sale generated about $5,970.20 and thanked volunteers, but added a staffing concern: “We need more volunteers. Friday morning, when we opened, there were 4 of us there, and we had 40 people in line outside.” She urged broader participation if the committee holds another yard sale in August.

Souvenir and merchandise: Sandy Fielding said the pin vendor will provide an update in about two weeks and that tariffs could still affect shipping; pins will be ordered if tariffs do not change.

Events and volunteer needs: Carrie Reynolds (publicity) said the golf tournament, scheduled for June 14, had secured several sponsors and needed volunteers for the day-of setup, running and breakdown; she and others are promoting sign-ups on social media. The committee also plans a self-built picnic for June 21 at the float site for self-built float teams; chairs asked volunteers to help set up grills, tables and easy-ups and to clean the chassis beforehand.

Float design notes: The float features a “sleeping bear” picnic scene with eight ants and a planned ninth “queen ant” on the back; the committee discussed using the naming of that character as a small fundraiser. Janet also mentioned an American Legion certificate of appreciation for the committee’s yard-sale donations.

Logistics: Committee members volunteered to transport the chassis on July 4 weekend despite many members being out of town; the committee voted to cancel the July 1 business meeting and reconvene in August.

Next steps: Organizers will finalize pin orders, continue recruiting volunteers for yard sales, golf and float prep, and prepare site and equipment for the self-built picnic on June 21.