The Celebrate Wildwood Commission elected Lauren Edens as chair and Leslie Jones as co‑chair and approved key logistics for the city’s 30th anniversary celebration, including using the field east of the theater for the Sept. event and launching an online memorial brick program that will be installed when Village Green Phase 1 is complete.

Commission members voted to name Lauren Edens chair after a motion from the floor; the motion carried and Edens assumed the chair role for the meeting. The commission then nominated and approved Leslie Jones as co‑chair. Commissioners also approved a recommended package of gifts and ribbons for parade grand marshals and accepted staff updates on parade participants, sponsorships, vendor lists and promotional items.

The commission’s staff reported that Stone Cone agreed to let the celebration use the field east of the theater — the site the commission has used in past years — after City staff concluded Village Green Phase 1 will not be ready in time for the Sept. 20 event. Staff said the decision preserved a familiar layout (vendors, inflatables, pony area and concert staging) and that grading on Village Green will resume the Monday after the event. Staff also said they expect Village Green Phase 1 to be complete in 2026.

On fundraising, staff reported a sponsorship and fee total of $33,180 against a $35,000 goal, leaving a $1,820 shortfall to reach the target. Parade participation has grown since the June meeting; staff said the commission had 18 participants in June and 34 as of the latest update. Food vendors are at capacity with a waiting list; staff said applications were used this year to manage duplicates.

The commission approved the grand marshal gifts and ribbon package as presented. Staff said confirmed grand marshals include County Council member Greg Quinn; one invited former mayor (Ron Marcitano) declined, and the commission is awaiting replies from other former mayors or their representatives. The approved package includes a sash, a hardback copy of the Wildwood history book, an anniversary crew neck or hoodie, a water bottle, a sticker, a holiday ornament, a parking pass and family food passes.

Separately, the commission reviewed a new online memorial brick (paver) program. Staff demonstrated the purchase flow, available sizes and character limits, and said the pavers will be installed after Village Green Phase 1 is finished (staff estimated approximately late fall 2025). The commission confirmed previously decided red paver color and noted pricing was set following council guidance; staff said pricing, payment via PayPal/credit card and a print‑and‑mail option are live on the site, but the program had not yet been publicly promoted.

Other updates: promotional merchandise (water bottles, ornaments, T‑shirts, hoodies and a commemorative sweatshirt storefront) has arrived or is live for order; the commission reserved a tent at the vendor market for commission sales; a small children’s coloring contest will run with three age categories and local in‑kind support from Singers Ice Cream; and the city is holding a $5,000 annual grant to the Pond Athletic Association pending their response to inquiries.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair: Lauren Edens nominated and approved (motion carried; mover recorded in the minutes as Miss Jelling). Outcome: approved.
- Election of co‑chair: Leslie Jones nominated and approved (motion recorded as made by Miss Edens). Outcome: approved.
- Approval of grand marshal gifts and ribbons: motion made and seconded (recorded as made by Commissioner Lynn and seconded by Commissioner Silverman). Outcome: approved.
- Approval of minutes from the June 5 meeting: motion made by Commissioner Silverman, seconded; one commissioner abstained due to absence. Outcome: approved.

What remains next: staff said it will continue vendor confirmations, finalize parade line numbers in the weeks before the event, distribute yard signs and promotional cards, and make the brick program public once commissioners review the website. Staff also asked commissioners to help promote sponsorships and vendor outreach to close the remaining funding gap.