HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-25 Special Events Committee Minutes
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
March 12, 2025, 1:00 PM
731 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Members present: Amy Roush, Brad Rohrscheib, Coby Deal, Kyle Ludlow
Members absent: Derek Erquhart
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM by Ms Roush.
2. Approval of minutes
Upon a motion by Ms Roush and seconded by Mr Rohrscheib, the minutes from the previous
meeting held on February 26, 2025, were approved unanimously.
3. Approval of Special Event Permits
3a. MLK, Jr Celebration-April 4 2025
Ms Roush spoke to the committee and detailed this event application. She did not
participate in the approval of the event.
The MLK, Jr Dream Center will be holding a ribbon cutting sneak peak on April 4 2025
and this application is for the Martin Luther King, Jr honor walk to be held in conjunction
with the ribbon cutting ceremony. Going forward, it has been decided that it will be
beneficial to the community to affiliate this walk with the Dream Center annually on this
date.
The walk starts at the Civil Rights Heritage Center with a brief ceremony. From there, it
will proceed along the route along Washington St to Birdsell St and then Linden. It was
decided that a combination of cones and Jersey walls will be used along the route to
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protect the participants. The event has the potential for a large gathering as several faith
leaders along with State and Local representatives have expressed interest in participating
in the walk and ceremonies. SBPD will be onhand to assist where needed.
Upon a motion by Mr Rohrscheib and seconded by Mr Ludlow, the permit for MLK, Jr
Celebration was approved unanimously.
3b. Live Way of the Cross-April 18 2025
Father Ben Landrigan joined the meeting to discuss an event application put forth on
behalf of a group from Our Lady of Hungary Parish in Rum Village. The group puts on an
annual Live Way of the Cross-Stations of the Cross typically on Good Friday or
thereabouts. Those attending the re-enactment follow a route to each station with the aid
of SBPD at intersecitons.
The re-enactment begins in front of the church and continues along Chapin St to N Dubail
St, continuing to Kemble Ave, then Donald St to Chapin St and back to the church
depicting Jesus’ journey prior to the crucifixion. Father Ben requested that Chapin
between Calvert and Bruce be closed as the crucifixion scene will be held on an elevated
area between the church and school. Mass will be held following the completion of the re-
enactment.
Cones will be dropped by Traffic & Lighting at the intersections prior to the event and
volunteers will move them in and out of place as needed.
Upon a motion by Ms Roush and seconded by Mr Rohrscheib, the permit for Live Way of the
Cross was approved unanimously.
3c. Opening Day Parade-April 26 2025
This year’s Chet Waggoner Opening Day Parade will make a minor change in the route of
the parade due to construction by the Waste Water Plant. The parade will begin at Holy
Cross School, travel Vassar to Diamond Ave, then to Portage, stopping in Highland
Cemetery to honor Chet Waggoner, then exiting onto Portage, then traveling to Boland,
then Riverside to CWLL.
This is an annual event and therefore the committee had no further comments or
concerns.
Upon a motion by Ms Roush and seconded by Mr Rohscheib, the permit for Opening Day
Parade was approved unanimously.
3d. Cinco de Mayo Festival
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Juan Ramos joined the meeting to represent the application for the annual Cinco de Mayo
Festival hosted by St Adalbert’s Parish. Mr Ramos told the committee that an additional
street closure on Huron between S Meade/S Olive was requested this year to allow for
handicap parking and supply offloading. The details of the festival are the same as in
previous years. The festival will not offer sales of alcoholic beverages.
Mr Ramos provided a signature list of neighbors that may be affected by the closure. He
added that the surrounding neighbors are very excited and supportive.
This is an annual event, and the committee members had no further questions.
Upon a motion by Ms Roush and seconded by Mr Rohscheib, the permit for Cinco de Mayo was
approved unanimously.
3e. South Bend Westside Memorial Parade
Carrie Pickens and Katie Reeves joined the meeting to represent this year’s South Bend
Westside Memorial Day Parade. This will be the 99th year for the parade. Staging will be
held at the middle school located at Lombardi and Ford St. The parade will follow along
Ford St to Olive in a tribute to fallen veterans. The seventeen block route will be assisted
by SB Street Department, SBPD, SBFD and a team of parade volunteers.
Ms Reeves identified issues with street closures in 2024 and communicated them to
Traffic & Lighting.
The parade route will be checked for potholes and swept the week of May 19th by the
Street Department. Letters will be passed out to residents along the route in preparation
of the parade.
This year the City of South Bend will celebrate it’s 160th birthday and this theme will be
incorporated into this year’s Memorial Day Parade festivities. Planning for additional
activities to pay homage to fallen veterans as well as the City’s birthday were not
complete at the time of the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms Roush and seconded by Mr Rohscheib, the permit for South Bend
Westside Memorial Parade was approved unanimously.
4. Other Business
None Scheduled
5. Privilege of the Floor
None
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6. Adjournment
With no additional business to discuss, Ms Roush motioned for adjournment, and Mr
Rohscheib seconded. The meeting concluded at 1:47 PM.