DECATUR — Parks and recreation members met on Monday to move forward with plans for Bulldog Days, set for Oct. 9, 10 and 11.

Rick Tilly presented a list of expenses from last yearÃ-s Bulldog Days Festival, and committee members divided up the responsibilities for the different elements of the event, such as the car show, bike show, hot air balloons, concession stands, music and fireworks show.

Trip Lapham, the city council member responsible for the committee, also suggested electing officers for the committee, explaining, Ãwe have a lot of Indians and no chief.î

Tom Aman reported that two Corvette Clubs are planning to come and participate in the car show scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 10.

The committee discussed vendors fees, and Aman and Tilly suggested charging a fee for abooth space and a fee for electricity but not charging vendors a percentage of their sales as has been done in the past.

The committee also agreed that food vendors will have to provide a tax ID and health department forms in order to participate in the festival.

Mike Barnett pointed out that both the parks and recreation committee and the chamber of commerce has to rent lights for the park for Bulldog Days and the Decatur Barbecue.

He suggested mounting three lights around the park to be used during the festivals and to light the walking track in the evening. Barnett said city utilities director James Boston has several old poles and lights at the wastewater treatment plant that could be used for the park. Barnett was not sure if the lights could be fixed by replacing the light bulbs or if the lights needed more repairs, but he said the city could save a considerable amount of money by using the poles.

Barnett said he has priced the project in the past and it would cost $1,800 to put up the lights and add three to four electrical receptacles to the other end of the field.

ÃIf Bulldog Days is a money maker, that would be a good investment for next year,î Lapham said.

Pat Austin suggested dividing the cost between the chamber of commerce and the city.

Lapham reported there will not be an ATV Rodeo and Truck Pull this fall. He said all the possible dates for the event are completely booked. Lapham said his brother-in-law is very involved in truck and tractor pulls and will help rent a sled for the pull and advertise the event through his organization. He suggested scheduling the ATV Rodeo and Truck Pull for next spring.

ÃWe need to pick a date real soon; things are already beginning to fill up,î Lapham said.

The next regularly scheduled parks and recreation committee meeting will be on Sept. 8.

News, Pages 2 on 08/05/2009