Commission reviews —Summer in San Gabriel— events, marketing and youth outreach ideas

Staff presented a preview of the city's "Summer in San Gabriel" events on May 4, telling commissioners the series will kick off June 25 with a Santana tribute band and the film Lilo & Stitch, run most Thursdays through the summer (except the Fourth of July week), and include crafts and food trucks. Andy said the Playhouse team will provide sound support and the city invested more in higher-quality bands this year.

Commissioners discussed marketing beyond social media. Youth ambassadors urged more interactive content on Instagram and TikTok, suggested partnerships with high-school ASB accounts and ParentSquare outreach to parents, and recommended in-person flyers at neighborhood supermarkets and Valley Boulevard retail centers. Staff said flyers are sent to K12 principals and the department will follow up with the public information officer to supply reach and engagement metrics.

On strategic priorities, commissioners agreed to add concrete items to the work plan: (1) earlier recruitment and outreach for the youth ambassador program (with advertising timed to the school calendar), (2) exploring a bike-safety event in South San Gabriel to pair safety education with community engagement, and (3) considering sports programming (including pickleball) while noting court capacity and neighbor noise concerns at Smith Park.

Commissioners suggested partnerships with local businesses popular with youth, targeted multilingual flyers to ethnic commercial corridors and outreach through school ASB channels. Staff said the proposed bike event could likely be done within existing budget if scaled appropriately and offered to meet commissioners to develop a plan for early fall. The commission asked staff to return with specific metrics, contacts for ASB leaders and details for inclusion in the work plan and budget calendar.