North Webster chamber board members Emily Shipley, vice president; Mindy Scaggs, president; and Tammy Waliczek, secretary, discuss some of the final numbers and updates for Dixie Day.

By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — The majority of July’s meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce revolved around plans and preparation for the upcoming Dixie Day on Saturday, July 31.

For the 5K, Emily Shipley is working with the North Webster police and fire departments to ensure the necessary streets are blocked off and to try to get barricades put up. Jerry Parsons volunteered to help with putting up barricades. Currently the number of people signed up to race is down significantly than in previous years so Shipley is hoping to see more incoming registrations as the date gets closer.

Registration for the car and truck show will be the day of the event only. Paula Miller will be in charge of registration for the trucks while Chris Trowbridge will be in charge of the cars. Miller asked how many picnic tables they would be able to use and it is believed there should be approximately 10 total. They plan to put the tables near the vendors and the car show. Miller also discussed the need for registration tables and cash boxes.

There are currently nine food vendors scheduled for Dixie Day according to Tammy Waliczek. There will be popcorn, pizza, barbecue, hamburgers and sweet corn. It was noted that a Kona Ice truck had been seen and she would see if it was possible to get one for Dixie Day.

Mindy Scaggs noted she has seen great feedback from craft and artisan vendors. Kim Bolt reported there were currently 29 vendors signed up.

There will be four portable restrooms set up at Dixie Day, some near the vendors and car show. The possibility of a hand washing station or hand sanitizer dispenser was discussed. However, it was decided to simply have a table set up with hand sanitizer available. The Lions stated they typically buy chargers for the portable restrooms. A motion was passed for the chamber to assist the Lions and buy the chargers.

Ryan Coverstone with Socks Marina confirmed there will be no boat show due to no inventory. However, he will have a booth set up at Dixie Day.

Summer banners are too damaged to be put up due to weather damage over the years. Discussion will be held in upcoming meetings regarding ordering new summer banners for next year.

The North Webster Community Public Library is hosting a private Business After Hours event for the North Webster chamber members to view the Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit. The event is from 5:30-7 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, July 13. Chamber members who wish to attend are welcome to do so any time during that time frame.

Bolt stated the chamber was able to get a cheaper insurance policy through a new company. However, the new policy would not include all the benefits of the chamber’s current policy. A motion was passed to stay with the chamber’s current insurance policy company.

Since Tangibles Resale and Consignment has moved into a new building, a ribbon cutting is planned for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22. Scott Kuhn, Tangibles owner, also mentioned that his business has merged with Vintage Antique Marketplace out of Columbia City.

A few minor correctors were made to last month’s minutes during the secretary report. A budget amount was set for radio advertisements for Dixie Day. Miller and Trowbridge were also flip flopped in who would be handling the truck and car show. A motion to approve the secretary report with those corrections was passed. The treasurer’s report was passed.