Discussions centered around the Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for November 3rd at 10 AM. The parade will follow its traditional route, beginning in front of the old Chase bank, passing significant locations such as the main stage area in front of the Bank of La and CVS. The committee considered inviting mascots from local sports teams, recalling that last year’s mascots, including the Panthers mascot, positively impacted the event. The cost of inviting mascots was discussed, with the Panthers mascot costing $500 last year, while the Marlins mascot participated for free. There was also interest in inviting the Dolphins mascot. Additionally, the logistics of inviting high school bands were examined, noting past participation required transportation funding, which amounted to about $800 for two schools.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on logistical planning. The committee reviewed feedback from the previous year’s parade, noting recommendations from the Gonzalez family, such as adjusting the American Legion’s placement in the parade and adding water stations along the route. Enhancing communication regarding vehicle usage among participants was emphasized, with the signup form updated to prevent congestion. The need for better coordination of spacing between vehicles and floats was also highlighted to ensure a consistent presentation.

The committee explored alternative transportation options for parade participants, debating the use of golf carts over jeeps for better visibility. Golf carts were favored for allowing attendees to see participants more clearly, contrasting with the relative anonymity provided by jeeps. Practical considerations included the costs of renting golf carts and potential sponsors to fund them. The committee also discussed contacting the Reserve Center for tactical vehicles, noting previous success in securing such vehicles for the parade.

Water availability was another issue, with plans to ensure timely delivery of water to the staging area. Last year, children in the staging area experienced delays in receiving water, prompting the committee to estimate a need for around one thousand bottles this year. They discussed reaching out to sponsors like headquarters Toyota for support, emphasizing the importance of early delivery to avoid inconveniencing participants.

The topic of promoting local businesses in connection with the parade was raised, with an idea proposed to enhance community pride by highlighting local enterprises. Effective communication regarding street closures and parking restrictions was also discussed, with proposals to use lighted billboard signage or A-frames to notify the public in advance. The committee recalled past frustrations with parking obstructions and suggested using caution tape and involving Public Works to enforce restrictions.

Additional logistical details included the need for more portable restrooms, with a suggestion to acquire higher-quality units to avoid long lines. The check-in process for participants was also examined, proposing a system where a head person from each group would hand an index card with their name to a volunteer near the stage. This system aimed to prevent confusion during announcements.

The committee addressed the nomination of a Grand Marshal for the parade, considering a specific individual as a strong candidate while also advocating for a broader search to recognize more individuals in future events. Plans for the Grand Marshal ceremony included having an honor guard and the national anthem, with suggestions to enhance promotion to ensure better attendance.

Regarding post-event arrangements, the committee discussed providing food for veterans, noting previous success with Mission Barbecue, which supplied 145 meals last year. They proposed exploring similar arrangements to manage costs effectively. The need for a backup vehicle for the parade was also mentioned, with a suggestion to approach a previous volunteer, Fred, to secure a vehicle in advance.

The committee concluded with a call for ongoing communication and organizational structure to ensure the success of the Veterans Day Parade. They emphasized the importance of adhering to established timelines and maintaining clear communication with participants and volunteers.