ROCKFORD 2020 BICENTENNIAL PLANNING MEETING – AUGUST 18, 2014

ROCKFORD 2020 BICENTENNIAL PLANNING MEETING

AUGUST 18, 2014

Those present: Norm VanTillburg, Dee Vantillburg, Martha Lentz, Nancy Leighner, Twyla Hayes, Marie Miller, Dan Henkle, Mike Schumm, Jeff Long, and Ray Costello.

In a little over five years Rockford will be celebrating its 200 year anniversary bicentennial. The village was officially formed June 25, 1820.  We need to start the planning for this celebration.  We need to form an executive committee and hopefully many sub committees.  This meeting is a starting point  to get word out.

Divided into small groups and each were to come up with items they would like to see done for the celebration. Groups came up with the following:

Mural on the side of the Fire Station

Revitalization of Downtown Buildings, research history of buildings maybe a plaque with date built and original use, and develop a walking tour.

Veterans memorial Park Bicentennial Booklet, Banners

A Grand parade, theme, Parkway Band, more floats

Train Depot Rebuilt

Events throughout the year

See if Lions Club Variety Show would be for bicentennial celebration theme

Need to get youth involved

Encourage people to give family history that could be compiled

Community project

Need to see how we can fund the celebration, probably a first as costs could incur right away

Develop a motto and logo

Advertise through web page

Get radio and tv stations involved

Many letters requesting attendance to meeting were sent with 10 showing up need more involvement,  and bring more ideas

Set October 20, 2014 7:30 at Village Museum as next meeting