Wakefield Human Rights Commission sets Cultures of Wakefield festival for Oct. 10, outlines $5,600 grant and volunteer needs

The Wakefield Human Rights Commission on Tuesday discussed logistics and budgets for three community events — Towne Day, a Juneteenth recap and the newly scheduled Cultures of Wakefield festival — and approved the June meeting minutes.

Han Leung, chair of the Wakefield Human Rights Commission, said the commission has a $5,600 grant from the economic development committee for the Cultures of Wakefield Food Festival, not the $10,000 figure that appeared in the draft minutes. He said the commission is entering a new fiscal year with a $3,000 allotment and proposed spending roughly $2,000 on food and decorations, reserving about $600 for signage and approximately $3,000 for entertainers.

The chair announced the festival date was shifted from Oct. 12 to Oct. 10 and that the commission has reserved Galvin Middle School for performances (auditorium), food service (cafeteria) and vendor space (gym). "We're gonna move that event from 10/12 to 10/10," Leung said. The commission discussed holding three to four performers in the auditorium and limiting inside food vendors to about eight to 12 so participating restaurants get sufficient business.

Marlene Felbush, a commission member, volunteered to reach out to local arts and cultural organizations for performers and vendors and said she could contact East Boston arts groups and other community connections to identify Hispanic and Native American performers and drumming groups. Members also suggested contacting the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield and the Albion Cultural Exchange for visual artists.

Leung described a modest procurement plan: replace an older progress flag, order a printed tablecloth with the commission's logo and shop for a banner or stand-up signage rather than pursuing a $1,600 across–Main–Street banner quote if that exceeds the budget. He cited one vendor quote for a street banner at about $1,600 and said he was hoping to find an option around $600.

On volunteer recruitment and logistics, Leung said Towne Day is set for Sept. 26 with a rain date of Sept. 27 and requested volunteers and student participation; the commission previously recruited about 20 high-school volunteers. He also said he created a volunteer sign-up (SignUpGenius) and a vendor submission form (Google Forms) and will share the links with the secretary for inclusion in the minutes.

The commission also briefly reviewed Juneteenth activities, noting lower attendance due to heat but positive programming including a speaker from the Juneteenth Association, a singer of the Black National Anthem and an ROTC flag-raising.

Procedural actions: Han Leung moved to approve the June meeting minutes and Erica Sadler seconded. Individual votes recorded in the transcript show Kathy Schein Kane — yes; Marlene Felbush — yes; Leila Autwey — yes; and Jillian Arcari — yes. The chair declared the minutes approved. At the meeting’s close Leung moved to adjourn, Sadler seconded, and members voted to adjourn at 8:01 p.m.

Leung asked members to send additional ideas and contact information for performers or vendors and to notify the group if they can staff Towne Day or the festival. The commission will revisit final vendor lists, banner options and a production schedule at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Aug. 18.