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Villa Park commissioners call Fairy Frolic a success, task member to research tougher tent anchoring
Summary
Commissioners said the Fairy Frolic drew strong attendance and community praise; after a tent incident they approved researching sturdier stakes, sand/water weights and a dolly for moving the tent, with a report due at the June meeting.
The Village Park Fund Commission on Tuesday praised the Fairy Frolic as a well-attended community event and moved to address equipment safety after a tent problem that day.
"It was a very successful event. It was well attended — I believe we wound up with 88 people," said Lesie Allison CI, summarizing attendance and praising volunteers and performers such as Tinkerbell and Captain Hook. Commissioners said exact fundraising totals for the recreation center scholarship program were not yet available; several parents asked how to donate during the event and were directed to the front desk.
During the recap, members described a tent that had suffered a partial failure in high wind. "The stakes are like six inches long — I think what we could use is bags for sand or water that go around," Mary Brunner Heights said while asking for a motion to research more secure anchoring options and a dolly to move the structure. Mary agreed to research prices and submit options for approval at the commission's June meeting.
Commissioners emphasized that the incident prompted a practical, equipment-focused response rather than changes to event programming. "It was a freakish gust of wind," Michelle McDonald, chair, said, adding appreciation for Lesie and the volunteers who managed the moment without injury.
The commission did not set a dollar amount for purchases but requested cost estimates and vendor options to be considered at the next meeting.
Looking ahead, members suggested a brief checklist of tent site choices (avoid half-on-concrete setups where stakes cannot be driven fully) and inventorying event equipment so staff and volunteers can be clear about anchoring needs and transport requirements.
