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Christmas parade officials say 'neigh' to horses, ATVs
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| By: THERESE APEL, DAILY LEADER Staff Writer |
November 05, 2009 |
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The Brookhaven Christmas parade will have something of a new look this year, as several long-standing traditions are being changed up for various reasons.
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The traditional use of horses, all-terrain vehicles and fire truck sirens won't be a part of this year's Christmas parade, officials said. The Christmas Parade takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, with the Fire Brigade starting at 6:45 p.m.
Christmas Parade Chairman Rita Rich said the change on the horses and ATVs is based on liability issues.
"I know horses have always been a part of the parade since its inception," Rich said. "Nobody loves horses more than me. But because of the liability connected to the horses and ATVs, we can't have them this year."
The rule also applies to other animals that are ridden or that pull carts or buggies, said Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield.
"The parade has grown tremendously in recent years, which is bringing record crowds to downtown Brookhaven on the night of the event. With increased commerce downtown, and the rise in the number of living quarters, and there's a larger crowd, we had to make changes to accommodate modern times," Brumfield said. "Horses have been a long-standing tradition of the parade, back to every resident's childhood. The committee who oversees the parade has reluctantly made this decision, and it was not made lightly."
Brumfield said there have also been complaints in the past, not only from concerned parents who are worried about their children on the ground near the horses, but also from local business owners.
"To compound the situation, there is simply no appropriate way to stage them other than paved parking lots, and try as we may to clean up the aftermath, the smell lingers for days," he said. "This is many merchant's busiest season, and we receive complaints for days on end after the parades. With the degree of commerce that is here, this is no longer acceptable."
The only exception to that rule, Rich said, is for ATV dealers - if they will accept the liability.
The Lincoln County Fire Association voted last week to silence the sirens in the parade, citing the fact that it's hard for children to enjoy the parade with their fingers in their ears.
"We've had a few complaints about the noise of the sirens especially on the children, and we decided that it would be the best thing not to do that," said Fire Coordinator Clifford Galey. "We're going to do our best to keep them from doing that."
Meanwhile, Rich also issued further explanation on this year's parade theme, "Onward."
"I thought 'Onward' was self-explanatory, but apparently it's not," Rich said. "The theme is actually 'Onward Christian Soldiers,' but that's too long to fit on the side of a float. You've got to have letters big enough to see."
The theme, Rich said, gives float makers the option to play off the 'Onward' theme, the 'Christian' theme, or the 'Soldiers' theme. She said she expects to see floats honoring the troops and veterans in addition to the usual Christmas scenes.
"You could have the four branches of the services, with people dressed in uniform," she said. "There are a lot of ways you can go."
The Exchange Club will be giving out 4,000 flags at the post office before the parade, Rich said, adding that when this year's Grand Marshal Bronze Star winner Brian McGee passes, parade-goers can wave them to honor his service as a representation of honoring all the American troops and veterans that have served and are currently serving in the military.
Rich also asked that float drivers and other people in the parade be patient on the night of the event. She said volunteers who help line up the floats have their hands full.
"They do the best they can, and we don't have a lot of room while we're lining up, so you just have to grin and bear it," she said. "You'll be in the parade, even though you may not be where you want to be, but you'll be in it. Just be patient."
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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Laurie |
Nov, 06 2009 |
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You have simply got to be kidding !!!!!!! This is the reason people are leaving Brookhaven. The backwards, paranoid, rediculous thinking is going to kill this town !! It is bad enough that there is nothing for kids to do here other than the church but to take away something that everyone looks forward to is a crime. "Richie" Rich needs to lighten up !
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