Villa Park subcommittee votes 3–1 to hold one-day Villa Fest on Aug. 22

The Villa Fest subcommittee on May 26 voted 3–1 to proceed with a one-day Villa Fest on Saturday, Aug. 22, despite concerns from some commissioners about missing records, reduced sponsorship and a compressed planning timeline.

Leslie Allison, a subcommittee member who raised planning concerns, moved that the committee "seriously consider not hosting it this year but putting it off till next year" because records and sponsor details have arrived piecemeal. Allison said volunteers and commissioners lacked the historical files needed to confirm counts for tents, tables and logistics and that a short timeline made the event difficult to execute.

Board liaison Carrie Alfano, speaking for Parks and Recreation staff, acknowledged the frustration and urged the group to work with the village to move forward. "On behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department, I apologize if in any way you have felt you have been given the runaround," Alfano said, and offered staff support to help complete outstanding tasks.

Supporters of holding the event argued the village has already earmarked funds for a festival and that canceling would be a lost opportunity. "I think to the villagers of Villa Park it would be a disservice not to give them something during the 250th anniversary of this country," said Commissioner Steve Della Rosa, urging the committee to preserve activities for families and vendors.

The subcommittee was told the village has a $30,000 appropriation available to manage the event; commissioners were also told sponsor pledges reported at the meeting were currently reduced to $2,140 (sponsors only), a figure that does not include vendor fees, food sales or beer garden revenue. Staff said they would rework budget figures to reflect the single-day format.

Staff reported one confirmed sponsorship benefit: LRS has agreed to donate porta-potties and hand-washing stations. "They reached out to me and they said they were confirmed for like the both days sponsorship," staff liaison Lilly Morgan said; staff said they would follow up to confirm quantities and whether a dumpster could be added to the sponsorship.

The committee approved several logistical items by voice vote. Members authorized a $942 quote for 50 colored tie-dye volunteer T-shirts from Smiley Dyes, and approved using a lower-cost vendor (Advance Signs of Naperville) for yard signs while continuing with Sir Speedy's for posters. Staff said proofs will be requested before printing.

Other planning steps and open questions discussed during the meeting included vendor outreach and application processing, whether to rent a freezer and bulk ice for vendors, insurance and permit steps (special-events packet and certificate of insurance), police and fire participation for a safety plan, and confirmation of inflatables, bands and entertainment schedules.

To accelerate planning, the committee voted to meet every other week and scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m., with the goal of having representatives from the Chamber (Kyle) and additional staff available to answer outstanding questions.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to postpone Villa Fest until next year: failed, 1 in favor, 3 opposed. (Mover: Leslie Allison; second not specified in transcript.) - Motion to accept $942 quote for 50 colored volunteer T-shirts (Smiley Dyes): passed by voice vote. - Motion to switch yard-sign printing to a lower-cost vendor (Advance Signs, Naperville): passed by voice vote.

Next steps

Staff committed to verify quantities for porta-potties and hand-washing stations with LRS, to confirm outstanding vendor payments and applications, to post the confirmed Aug. 22 date and volunteer sign-up on the village calendar and website, and to coordinate permits and public-safety planning with police and fire. The committee reconvenes June 9 at 5:30 p.m. to continue finalizing logistics.