Latest news with #Jaycees
Axios
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Big Tex's boots head to D.C.
The rest of the country will soon learn why Big Tex's boots are a big deal. Driving the news: The size 96 boots are on the road to Washington, D.C., where they will be displayed in a Smithsonian exhibit about state fairs. Why it matters: Big Tex's boots rarely leave the state. They last traveled to Minneapolis in 1953, for a national Jaycees convention. Fun fact: Big Tex has multiple pairs of boots. The pair heading to D.C. are old, a spokesperson for the State Fair of Texas tells Axios. He's worn his current pair of boots since 2023, which feature an Irving resident's art. Flashback: Big Tex debuted at the 1952 State Fair, wearing size 70 boots and a 75-gallon hat. In October 2012, an electrical short in his boot caused a fire that stripped the cowboy down to his metal frame. Big Tex returned to the fair in 2013, wearing new 12 feet tall, 900-pound boots that were replicas of Big Tex's original boots from 1949. The latest: The boots designated for display are scheduled to arrive in D.C. on Aug. 1 for the Smithsonian American Art Museum's exhibit titled " State Fairs: Growing American Craft." The exhibit will share how artists have shaped fairs across the country. The Iowa State Fair's life-size butter cow and 700 jars of preserved fruits and vegetables will also be on display. The exhibit opens Aug. 22 and will close September 2026.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No unaccompanied minors, only clear bags at Naperville's Last Fling this year
No unaccompanied minors will be allowed at Naperville's Last Fling this year, per new security measures announced by organizers on social media. Put on by the Naperville Jaycees, the annual Labor Day celebration is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1. With less than three months to go, the nonprofit social service club announced in a Facebook post that the event will have more safety requirements than in previous years, some of which are being dictated by the city. Among them is a provision that attendees under the age of 18 be accompanied by someone over the age of 25. One guardian will be able to supervise up to five minors. They have also instituted a clear bag policy, meaning only see-through and small clutch bags will be permitted. Bag storage will not be available and anyone with unapproved items will be turned away, organizers say. Further, all patrons will be subject to metal detector screenings. The announcement of the additional measures come days after organizers of the city's annual India Day Festival & Concert said they would be scaling back festivities this year amid rising costs from city-mandated security requirements. Bolstering safety measures at the Last Fling will impact the Jaycees 'significantly,' said Karen Coleman, the event's public relations and marketing chair. But the additional measures are also necessary for putting on the safest event possible, she said. 'We just need everyone to understand how important safety is to us,' she said. 'We would be devastated if something untoward happened at our event.' Asked about the financial impact of the added measures, Coleman said they were still figuring out the total cost but estimated it will be 'in the tens of thousands of dollars.' The new requirement for minor supervision was born out of crowd control issues related to minors in past years, Coleman said. As was the case previously, Last Fling will again be surrounded by fencing with gated entrances, Coleman said. The event's current location is along Jackson Avenue from Ewing Street to Main Street. However, the layout of the grounds may be altered next year, she said. 'The city of Naperville wants us to change the footprint of the event,' she said. Last Fling could move away from Jackson Avenue and take place at the Naperville Riverwalk's Rotary Hill instead. At this point, it's a possibility but 'not a done deal,' City Clerk Dawn Portner said. Like it does with every event in town, the city's special events team will evaluate the lessons learned from this year's Last Fling once it's over to determine if any changes need to be made for future events, Portner said. 'I think (one) of the issues that we're concerned with is compression,' she said. '(Last Fling) is a great event. It's a well-attended event, and we want to make sure that everyone who goes is safe. And if there is an incident that happens, that police can get in there (and) the fire department can get in there. … That's the way we look at it. 'Does it need a bigger location? Does it need a new location? Will (that) help if we do have compression issues? And if we have anything that we need to be concerned with, can we do it better? Is there a reason to do it better?' In an interview last week, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said additional security requirements at large-scale events in town are 'something we've been really pushing towards for the past few years and are finally getting traction (on).' 'Outdoor events are big, big targets for those looking to do bad things,' Arres said, 'and they're increasingly vulnerable to mass violence. … (These recommendations) keep these events safe and can actually deter threats before they occur.' Coleman said this year's Last Fling will still be the staple Labor Day celebration that attendees know and love — just safer. 'We're not trying to ruin anyone's great time or change the perspective of this awesome, end-of-summer event,' she said. 'We're super excited for the Fling this year.' Updates and more information about Last Fling, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, can be found at tkenny@
Chicago Tribune
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
No unaccompanied minors, only clear bags at Naperville's Last Fling this year
No unaccompanied minors will be allowed at Naperville's Last Fling this year, per new security measures announced by organizers on social media. Put on by the Naperville Jaycees, the annual Labor Day celebration is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1. With less than three months to go, the nonprofit social service club announced in a Facebook post that the event will have more safety requirements than in previous years, some of which are being dictated by the city. Among them is a provision that attendees under the age of 18 be accompanied by someone over the age of 25. One guardian will be able to supervise up to five minors. They have also instituted a clear bag policy, meaning only see-through and small clutch bags will be permitted. Bag storage will not be available and anyone with unapproved items will be turned away, organizers say. Further, all patrons will be subject to metal detector screenings. The announcement of the additional measures come days after organizers of the city's annual India Day Festival & Concert said they would be scaling back festivities this year amid rising costs from city-mandated security requirements. Bolstering safety measures at the Last Fling will impact the Jaycees 'significantly,' said Karen Coleman, the event's public relations and marketing chair. But the additional measures are also necessary for putting on the safest event possible, she said. 'We just need everyone to understand how important safety is to us,' she said. 'We would be devastated if something untoward happened at our event.' Asked about the financial impact of the added measures, Coleman said they were still figuring out the total cost but estimated it will be 'in the tens of thousands of dollars.' The new requirement for minor supervision was born out of crowd control issues related to minors in past years, Coleman said. As was the case previously, Last Fling will again be surrounded by fencing with gated entrances, Coleman said. The event's current location is along Jackson Avenue from Ewing Street to Main Street. However, the layout of the grounds may be altered next year, she said. 'The city of Naperville wants us to change the footprint of the event,' she said. Last Fling could move away from Jackson Avenue and take place at the Naperville Riverwalk's Rotary Hill instead. At this point, it's a possibility but 'not a done deal,' City Clerk Dawn Portner said. Like it does with every event in town, the city's special events team will evaluate the lessons learned from this year's Last Fling once it's over to determine if any changes need to be made for future events, Portner said. 'I think (one) of the issues that we're concerned with is compression,' she said. '(Last Fling) is a great event. It's a well-attended event, and we want to make sure that everyone who goes is safe. And if there is an incident that happens, that police can get in there (and) the fire department can get in there. … That's the way we look at it. 'Does it need a bigger location? Does it need a new location? Will (that) help if we do have compression issues? And if we have anything that we need to be concerned with, can we do it better? Is there a reason to do it better?' In an interview last week, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said additional security requirements at large-scale events in town are 'something we've been really pushing towards for the past few years and are finally getting traction (on).' 'Outdoor events are big, big targets for those looking to do bad things,' Arres said, 'and they're increasingly vulnerable to mass violence. … (These recommendations) keep these events safe and can actually deter threats before they occur.' Coleman said this year's Last Fling will still be the staple Labor Day celebration that attendees know and love — just safer. 'We're not trying to ruin anyone's great time or change the perspective of this awesome, end-of-summer event,' she said. 'We're super excited for the Fling this year.' Updates and more information about Last Fling, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, can be found at
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delceno Miles named 2025 VB First Citizen
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Beach Jaycees named Delceno Miles as the 2025 First Citizen of Virginia Beach Wednesday. Since 1950, this award recognizes city residents who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Miles was surprised at the Black Eye Peas restaurant at Lynnhaven Mall, and was recognized due to her visionary leadership, civic engagement and dedication to inclusive growth. She was greeted by civic leaders, including former Gov. Bob McDonnell who was named First Citizen last year. 'We could not have had a better choice,' McDonnell said. 'She is a kind, gentle, humorous, smart soul. represents the best of Virginia Beach and she is always about the service of others. That's what we believe in Virginia Beach. It is such a beautiful town, a great place to live. People like Delceno Miles. Said Miles: 'Mama this if for you. Thank you.' The Jaycees also recognized Taylor Franklin for his contributions to regional business and Billy Almond for his outstanding service to the Jaycees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
21st Brrrmidji Plunge makes a splash for Special Olympics
Feb. 15—BEMIDJI — While some may have opted to stay indoors as the real-feel temp hit 13 degrees below zero on Saturday afternoon, dozens of brave souls did the opposite and instead went for a dunk in Lake Bemidji. A total of 68 jumpers took part in the 21st Brrrmidji Plunge, a tradition for some and a new adventure for others. One participant hailed all the way from Brazil and also happened to be the oldest to take the leap. Mo Ribeiro de Oliveria, 64, who now lives in California, donned a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops and made sure to pump up the crowd before jumping into the frigid waters to a round of applause. Event emcee Dave Brooks, from KB101 FM, said next year a Brazilian flag will be added in Oliveria's honor to the assortment of countries and states represented in the flags that surround the barricade each year. While the crowd was a little smaller this year due to the chilling temperatures, members of the Bemidji State Senate were on hand with hot chocolate to keep attendees warm during the event. In her opening remarks, Bemidji Jaycees' Brrrmidji Plunge Chair Brittany Isensee shared the goal behind the event — raising money for local Special Olympics. She said this year's top pledge raisers contributed a combined $1,243 to the cause. Erin Keller earned the bronze medal for raising $318. Chris Cales and Jagger Cales tied for silver and each raised $350, with the gold going to Jura Hill for raising $525. Isensee added that 2024's event drew 105 jumpers that raised a record $8,000 for Special Olympics, and they hope to raise close to that again this year even with a smaller turnout. She also emphasized the community support that leads to the success of events such as the Brrrmidji Plunge. "We're always encouraging new people to join the Jaycees to keep events like this going in the community," Isensee added. "On the third Tuesday of each month we have membership meetings at Keg N' Cork that anyone can come to and check things out or people can join online. But we just love getting new members." She also thanked all the Bemidji businesses that partnered with the Jaycees again this year to make the event happen. "We always appreciate our big sponsors for making this happen every year, especially Ellis Towing for cutting the big hole in the ice and prepping things for us," she said. "We even had a volunteer group from Choice Therapy help set up the barricade fencing this year, which was super awesome of them." King of the Road Trailers supplied the trailer used for staging ahead of the plunge, with the warming tents coming courtesy of The Party Store and Cenex supplying heaters and propane to keep them nice and toasty for participants to change in after their frigid leap. "We couldn't do this without all the great community support," Isensee said, "and we so appreciate everyone who came out today to support a great cause."
