Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Celebrate Wildwood topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission advances Celebrate Wildwood event planning, seeks more sponsors and approves Route 66 commemoration steps
Summary
Commissioners reviewed parade logistics, sponsorship outreach and vendor recruitment for Celebrate Wildwood, set modest fundraising targets, and approved three Route 66 commemoration items including banners, a polo sleeve logo and hosting the Route 66 Association of Missouri at the event.
The Wildwood Parks and Recreation Commission received a broad update on Celebrate Wildwood logistics, sponsorships, vendor recruitment and parade planning and approved three Route 66 commemoration actions to generate interest ahead of 2026.
Parade and vendor logistics: staff reported 18 parade participants so far and roughly 23 vendor/booth commitments, down from about 29 at the same point last year. The commission discussed outreach to new local businesses and higher-touch solicitation (follow-up phone calls and personal visits) to convert on-the-fence sponsors. Staff said sponsorship revenue stood at about $15,600 on the event thermometer and that the fundraising goal is $35,000. Vendor booth fees were confirmed at $100 and tent rental at $30; staff said the event can accommodate 75 to 100 booths using some City Hall parking.
Staff identified several existing sponsors and recent commitments: an electrical contractor (Authorized Electric) gave $1,500; a restroom contractor (Portable Water Closet) gave $1,500; and a new network/cybersecurity business committed at the $1,500 level. Staff told commissioners they would follow up with new businesses (for example, Grapes Games and local eateries) and provide a sponsorship packet and a list of prospective contacts.
Parade logistics also include coordination with police, the Rotary for lineup assistance, and a confirmed grand marshal invitation acceptance from Greg Flynn. Staff said concert and kids' activities were mostly booked; food and drink vendors are confirmed though staff is still coordinating drink vendor layout.
Route 66 commemoration: staff proposed three near-term items to promote the Route 66 centennial through Wildwood this year: a small Route 66 logo on polos/polosleeves, inviting the Route 66 Association of Missouri to host a table at Celebrate Wildwood, and producing reusable Route 66/celebrate Wildwood banners for Manchester Road. The commission voted to proceed with all three items (motion: approve the three Route 66 actions; mover: Bonnie; second: not specified; outcome: approved).
Children's activities and giveaways: commissioners approved a kids' coloring contest to be posted on the city website and collected at the city tent; staff also described donated prizes and low-cost giveaways (LED bracelets, flashlights, liquid-chalk rollers and sticker packs) that will be used as incentives. The commission encouraged outreach to new businesses for vendor participation and accepted staff's plan to supply sponsorship packages and booth lists to commissioners for personal follow-up.
Staff said they will continue to report sponsorship totals, vendor counts and vendor layout plans at future meetings and will provide a vendor/booth layout for the July meeting so commissioners can visualize placements and contingency plans.
