Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Committee met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Alderperson Trish Connor, Don White, Sandi Levell, Nancie Cassidy, Denise Beattie, Kevin Yates

MEMBERS ABSENT: Gita Talati, Mayor Hughes, Kylie Milliken, Jim Sniff, Carie McIntyre, Ashley Hildebrant, Joe Harper, Jeannie Quick, Patty Pierson

Public Comment:

No public comment.

Purpose:

M & T Commission - Purpose

Economic Development Director Beadles read the purpose of the commission. The purpose of the Chillicothe Area Marketing and Tourism Commission is to develop a comprehensive program designed to market the Chillicothe area and promote the growth of tourism within or near the city and submit the program to the city council for recommendation and approval. All programs shall be formulated and maintained by the use of funds received through the city's hotel/motel tax.

2023-2024 Budget

Director Beadles reported the September Hotel Tax received at $2,996.56. This was a past due amount. September budget interest income would be reported later. She reported September Promotion expenditures at $238.08 and 35% of budget and no Donation expenditures for the month and 13% of budget.

She reported to the commission about the Entertainment Tax/Gaming Revenue tax. She stated that any items over the Market & Tourism Budget would need to be budgeted in the Economic Development Budget.

Don White stated Judicial Committee was working on reviewing the Hotel/Motel Tax for Short Term rentals that could help see a change in the Hotel/Motel revenue.

2023 Calendar of Events

Director Beadles reported on the Calendar of events for the remainder of the calendar year and asked commission members to provide any changes needed.

October

01 LIVE MUSIC - Fall Concert Series - Chicago Farmer, Mama Said String Band, Blue Ridge Community Farm, 2pm

01 IVC Travel Softball Fundraiser - Softball Fall Frenzy - Mossville fields, 10am - ivctravelsoftball.com

06-07 Spider Hill Haunted Attractions (every Friday and Saturday in October) - Three Sisters Park

07 Catch the Fever Annual Auction - St. Edwards, Doors open at 5pm

07 Puppy Yoga in the Park - Walnut Dog Park, 9am & 10am

08 LIVE MUSIC - Fall Concert Series - Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds, Stone & Snow, Projekts, Blue Ridge Community Farm, 2pm

14 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe, 10am

14 LIVE MUSIC-Off the Cuff - American Legion, 7-11pm

15 Community Serve Day-Chillicothe Christian Church, 8:30am

21 Fall Craft Show - IVC 321 High School, 9am-3pm

21 Golf Cart/ATV pub crawl benefiting fireworks - Casting Club. $10 per person. Registration is 11-12. Depart at 12pm.

27 Merchant Trick or Treat on 2nd Street - Chamber of Commerce, 3-5pm

27 Spooktacular-Pearce Community Center, 4pm

27 Trick or Treat & Costume Contest - Evergreen Senior Living, 5pm

28 Ghost Chase 5k Run-IVC More information - Three Sisters Park

28 Nightmare on 2nd Street Halloween Parade and Festival, 12pm-5pm

29 Pancake and Sausage Breakfast - George Washington Masonic Lodge, 7am-11am

November

01-30 Annual Community Needs Agency fundraiser and food drive

05 LIVE MUSIC - War Road Gypsy, MoonTower Bar & Grill, 7pm

10 Vino and Vinyasa-Pearce Community Center, 6pm-Public Welcome

11 Holiday Makers Market-Three Sisters 9am-3pm

11 Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Triangle 11am

11 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe, 10am

18 Christmas Parade-Chamber-2nd Street, 2pm

24 Black Friday Fitness Bash-Pearce Community & Fitness Center-Public Welcome 25 Small Business Saturday-Shop Local

25-Dec 09 Countdown to Christmas Retail Contest

December

01-Dec 09 Countdown to Christmas Retail Contest

01 Shademaker's Holiday Lighting Award Nominations due at City Hall by 3pm

02 Breakfast with Santa-Pearce Community Center

8-10 Madrigal Dinner 11:30am, IVCHS

09 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe - Countdown to Christmas winners selected live on FB & Shademakers Holiday Lighting Award

TBD Chillicothe Christian Church - A Night in Bethlehem, 2-5pm

TBD Live Nativity - Calvary Baptist Church - 7 & 8:30 performances

16 Community Needs Agency Food Distribution & Optimist Toy Drive, 7-11am, Three Sisters Park

16 Cops For Kids Toy Delivery

16 Christmas Bonanza winners drawn live on Optimist Club's Facebook page at 3pm

TBD Breakfast With Santa, 8am, Three Sisters Park

2023-10 Message Center Update

Director Beadles reported the September 2023 Message Center Messages as approved by the ED Committee.

Three Sisters Funding Request

Director Beadles reported the Three Sisters Funding Request. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the commission was to forward to Economic Development Committee to approve through council.

Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans

PAVCB - Absent, no report.

Chamber - Don reported Merchant trick or Treat happening October 27th with an option for a Trunk or Treat at the Police Station for businesses not in Historic Downtown. The 2nd Annual Nightmare on 2nd Street will start at noon on October 28th. Event will host a parade, zombie walk as well as other events. The Christmas parade will be held November 18th and will have Santa following the parade followed by a Tree Lighting in City Park.

Historical Society - Absent, no report.

Chillicothe Park District – Kevin reported events to support the Foundation - a Puppy Yoga, a grinch event and a Trail Run at Coal Hollow. The Chillicothe Park District would be changing within the next 30 days due to the grant plans.

Three Sisters Park - Nancy reported Spider Hill opens this weekend and the Paranormal in the farm house is a new event. The haunted house and walking trail would also be available each weekend in October. 

Blue Ridge Farm - Jim was absent. Director Beadles reported for Jim stating Blue Ridge Community Farm had over 650 people at the Chicago Farmer event this past Sunday. He said that the winner of the Chillicothe Days Talent Contest, John Alexander, took the stage with Chicago Farmer and the crowd really enjoyed the show.

There is only one concert left to close out the season and that would take place October 8th. She also reported for Jim that October is National Special Needs Month and Picket Fence employees 13-14 special needs individuals and would be promoting them through Facebook throughout the month of October. 

IVC - Kylie was absent and sent this report.

IVC Fall Sports are finishing up and heading to postseason.

Mossville Baseball qualified for State but lost to a tough team in the first round (season record 15-2).

Fall 2023 321 Connection will hit mailboxes around the 24th of October (introduces our new teachers, recaps homecoming, events around the district, postseason accomplishments, and more!)

Each school is working hard on their Social Emotional Learning goals as seen on Facebook (student of the week, etc.)

Pearce Community Center - Absent, no report.

Chillicothe Players Theatre - Denise reported October 21st is the Vampire Ball at Grecian Gardens. She handed out a flyer for It's A Wonderful Life, the Musical happening on November 2-4, 9-11 at 7:30pm and November 5 & 12 at 2:30pm.

City of Chillicothe - Director Beadles reported:

Attending Illinois Municipal League's Conference on September 19-21. She reported attending the presentation "Utilizing Tourism Bureaus to Market Your Attractions and Events" by Discover Downstate Illinois.

Holiday Market of 2024 will be called the Nikolaus Markt. They are planning to have wooden huts for the vendors, holiday decor and create a "Kris Kringle" market.

Attending the Peoria Area Realtors Association to discuss the needs of marketing Chillicothe 

Trish reported the Shademakers added the Halloween lighting contest to be awarded at the 2nd Annual Nightmare on 2nd Street. She reported filling out a Verizon Community Grant to create a professional Pollinator garden by the Masonic Lodge. She also reported the updates to Moffitt Park including new picnic tables, creative signage and trail updates.

Optimist Club - Absent, no report.

Retail (Little Land of Candy | Cool Thingz) Joe was absent, no report. Sandi reported she has been in business 50 Years. Her grandson landed a commercial and received a paid Carnival cruise. She stated she wanted the parking in front of her store to remain open because she was planning a haunted house in her business during the Merchant Trick or Treat.

Summary:

Economic Development Agenda Items

Three Sisters Funding

Chairperson Actions - None

Meeting adjourned at 4:28pm

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