The Pride celebration was a focal point of the meeting, with the Chair expressing gratitude to the organizing committee and community partners for their efforts. Special acknowledgement was given to Jennifer, Elise, and Kevin for orchestrating what was described as a wonderful Pride Picnic. The event featured a variety of family-friendly activities and informational booths from local organizations, including Chaska Parks and Recreation, Carver County Mental Health, and Carver County Public Health.

Local churches—Shepherd of the Hill, Chaska Moravian, and Crown of Glory—played a role, with one church offering a rock-painting activity, adding to the diverse array of attractions. Among the highlights were big bubbles, an ice cream stand, and refreshments from the Pizza Karma Food Truck and Mr. Coffee Cart. The iced coffee, in particular, was noted for helping attendees cope with the extreme heat.

The tie-dyed pride t-shirts emerged as a standout feature, engaging community members and volunteers, including those from Latino Voices, who assisted in the tie-dyeing process. The presence of the GSA at District 112 High School was acknowledged for an art project involving “creatures of the sea,” contributing to the event’s creative atmosphere. Community engagement was a key theme, with the Chair highlighting the event’s success despite the challenging weather conditions.

In the wake of the Pride event, attention turned to planning for River City Days. The Commission discussed strategies to enhance visitor engagement, drawing lessons from past activities such as a Jeopardy game, which proved effective in attracting participants. There was consensus on the need for interactive elements, with suggestions including a spinner game to distribute prizes and engaging attendees in conversations about inclusivity.

The Commission also explored the potential of using a large speaker with built-in lights and a corded microphone to enhance the Jeopardy game experience, allowing more attendees to participate. The need for volunteers was noted, with plans to coordinate through a member named Elise to address logistical requirements.

In other discussions, the Commission detailed upcoming activities for cultural heritage month, planning to collaborate with Kevin Wright, the staff liaison. An update on City Square Park was anticipated next month, along with ongoing repairs at the downtown gazebo and potential recognition of Indian mounds. Veteran acknowledgment was also on the agenda, with plans to partner with local schools as the new school year approached.

The meeting recognized July as Disability Pride Month, an occasion historically overlooked but deemed essential for fostering inclusivity. The Commission shared a statistic highlighting the universality of disability, noting that everyone may experience some form of disability at different points in life. The significance of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act was underscored, along with ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in healthcare, education, and employment.

Members were encouraged to engage with the disability community, learn about their history, and advocate for inclusion. Participation in local Disability Pride Month events was promoted, specifically mentioning an event at the state capital sponsored by Ark of Minnesota on July 17.