East and West Dundee seek feedback on community events

Fox Valley residents are being asked to weigh in on the holiday celebrations, bike races, summer festivities and concerts that take over the Dundee area throughout the year.

In separate online surveys, East Dundee and West Dundee officials are seeking feedback for improving their community events. Those who attended Heritage Fest, Dickens in Dundee or any other village-sponsored event can offer suggestions and provide comments on the elements they liked and disliked.

"For being a small organization, we do have a large number of events," West Dundee President Chris Nelson said. "It's important to look for efficiencies and improvements to make sure we're using our resources to the best of our ability and in a way people like."

Nelson said he anticipates survey results will largely focus on the Intelligentsia Cup cycling series - a new event for the village this year - and Heritage Fest, which is the Dundee area's signature event. The West Dundee survey, which was sent via mail to some downtown property owners, also asks residents and business owners to describe how the events directly affect them.

East Dundee is taking a different approach with its survey. Rather than improving existing events, the village hopes to use the results to create a schedule of new events for 2017, Special Events Manager Erin Weingart said.

For the past three years, visitors have flocked to the village's monthly events each summer, such as Motor Mondays and Tail Waggin' Tuesdays.

"We feel we need to do something fresh," Weingart said. "We'll still have all the elements we believe people like - things for your family, things for dogs, wine and beer, music and cars. But it will all be different and new."

She said some events will include activities for the local business community, while others will be strictly for families.

And the events won't just be held in the summer, she added. The village plans to create a campaign that will run all year.

East Dundee's survey also asks residents how they get information about the events, Weingart said, which will help the village's marketing efforts.

West Dundee's online survey is available through Nov. 15, at which point the village will still accept feedback via email at villagehall@wdundee.org.

East Dundee's survey is open indefinitely, Weingart said, though the sooner residents share their thoughts, the better.

"This is what I would consider the planning time," she said. "Please give your feedback. We would love to hear what people want."