Parks and Rec sets event calendar, approves 3 p.m. Parade of Lights start; appoints vice chair

The La Verne Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed and confirmed a series of spring and summer events and took a formal vote to set the Parade of Lights start time at 3:00 p.m.

Opening the meeting, the Chair confirmed a quorum and asked members to approve the previous meeting minutes; a motion was made and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Staff (Kathy) summarized the Easter drive‑thru planned for Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. She described an organized traffic flow through the park's front lot with two rows down the main drive and an exit through the condos at the back. "We'll funnel the cars through the front parking lot," Kathy said; volunteers were asked to arrive by 9:30 a.m. The department will distribute age‑grouped bags with hidden "golden eggs" so every child has a chance at a prize; staff will ask drivers the children's ages as cars arrive so volunteers can hand out the appropriately grouped bags.

The committee also confirmed a block party on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will include "touch‑a‑truck," family activities, vendors and food trucks; registration links and sponsor/vendor information are available on the city's website. Staff reported the carnival will run across two weekends beginning May 15 (armbands $25, tickets $1), and the department hopes to secure returning vendors and attractions.

For a June event tied to the county's America 250 initiative, staff outlined a color walk and flag‑raising ceremony around Flag Day weekend (June 13). The walk will start and finish at the new Public Works building and includes a 1.776‑mile turnaround as a photo op for the America 250 passport program.

Members spent significant time on the Parade of Lights and tree‑lighting logistics. Citing cold late‑night weather and declining vendor participation, the committee discussed moving the parade earlier in the day and potentially renaming it to reflect the timing change. After member discussion and staff input about logistics, the committee voted to set the parade start time at 3:00 p.m. "I think what y'all said, and and I agree, is 03:00 start time," the Chair said, and members approved the motion by voice vote.

At the start of the meeting the committee also handled routine governance: a motion to appoint a vice chair (nomination for "Mister Oliver") carried by voice vote. The Chair reminded members the advisory body makes recommendations to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which retains final approval authority for budgets and formal ordinances.

Ending: The committee agreed staff will circulate name suggestions for the parade and return with a recommendation; the next Parks & Rec Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for May 18.