Chamber News – May 2025
Welcome !
Kylie —-Financial Report: Donation to Parkway Food Pantry — photo and BIG check !
Community Days donation– Motion Lacey, Second Lisa to donate $500. All approved.
Lions Club donation – Motion Ami Boley. Second Ashley to donate $25 for a plaque for the car show.
Received a Thank you from the Mercer County Civic Foundation for sponsorship of Mercer County Imagination Library.
Old Business updates:
Cotton Candy at Maker’s Market — Yes — June 8th. Weather permitting. Sell $3 per bag or 2 for $5.
Motion Ashley. Second Lacey to make necessary purchases – supplies, the dome for the machine. Will need to use the canopy and Ashley has a table. Will need electricity. Cost is $10 to set up.
Parkway Scholarship presentation — Shelley and Pastor Bill volunteered. Wednesday, May 14 @ 7:00 in the Auditorium. Will contact Parkway with information.
Rocktoberfest date set – October 25th from noon – 4 pm – Main Street
Tranquility would like to sponsor the Car Show at Rocktoberfest —Yes ! Event sponsorship is $500. Will message them and work out the rest of the details.
Would like to add to the Wheel game – something for the Tweens. Washer game – 3 different dot sizes for 3 different size prizes — The kids like the competition. Also suggested — Raffle /Pie in the Face for Mayor, Chief, School Resource Officer, Parkway Superintendent, maybe a council member or two.
Less food trucks we now have more local options – Ole 1820 , Grains of Love, Eagles Kitchen,
and Methodists Meats !
Face Painters ? Check with Vaughn for hay rides, check with Amy Noll – Petting zoo and Rockford Catsup sales. Another idea is some sort of historical reenactment – if anyone has contacts – something to consider.
Bring ideas to June meeting — goal to finalize these details August 1st.
Makers Market Holiday Bazaar-– November 23rd – RSVP for Community Building (Market) and Shane Hall – (Work with library partnership Grinch / crafts for kids and adults)
- Grid/section park for decorations
- Live Nativity
- Light parade
New Business –
Discussed the need to update the Welcome to Rockford signage –
Something simple/ with lights. Less maintenance / more modern.
Chamber / Village work together as there would be 4 signs needed.
To be discussed more at the next meeting —all agree we could use some updated signage.
Need to get some community input.
Business updates:
Grains of Love – Sourdough Bakery Café – notified and will let us know regarding ribbon cutting – have plaque
Panther Cubs Corner – – notified and will let us know regarding ribbon cutting- have plaque
S & B Coin Laundry – 50 Years in Business – have plaque
Peoples Bank – 120 Years in Business – have plaque – have been contacted – might be November
Shanes Crossing Historial Society – 30 Years – will present on Friday at the Log Cabin.
The Fremont Company – 120 years in business – have plaque –
Holeshot Accessories — will be having a Grand opening once the new building is completed.
Looking Ahead to 2025
• Community Days Parade – Citizen / Business of the Year / Scholarship Winner
• Mercer County Leadership
2025 Citizen and Business of the Year nomination form – email to members
• Rocktoberfest- October 25th – noon to 4 pm
• Citizen of the Year
• Business of the Year
• New Business / Anniversaries recognitions – working on these for the year
• Anthem ad / Anthem Presentation
* Makers Market – Holiday Bazaar – November 23rd
• Small Business Saturday – November 29th
• Membership 2026
Maker’s Market Dates for 2025:
May 25th
June 8, June 22
July 6th, July 20th
August 3rd, August 17th
Sept 7th, sept 21
Oct 5th and then Rocktoberfest 10/25
Makers market Holiday bazaar Nov 23
** Some dates may be subject to change.
