In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the potential takeover of the annual parade by the county, a move prompted by community demand after last year's event was canceled. The conversation centered around maintaining the parade's location in Cedar City, with officials expressing a desire to keep it a local community event rather than relocating it to Parowan.
Key points of discussion included the logistics of float storage, insurance requirements, and the ownership structure of the event. Currently, the parade operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, and officials are considering whether the county would assume ownership and liability for the event. Cedar City Police would handle traffic control, as outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Concerns were raised about the workload involved in organizing the parade, with one commissioner noting the significant effort required to manage the floats and costumes. Despite these challenges, there was a consensus that the benefits to the community justify the undertaking.
The commissioners agreed to conduct further research and discussions, including reviewing the MOU and addressing liability concerns before making a final decision. They also considered the possibility of establishing a year-to-year agreement to allow flexibility in case the county decides to withdraw from organizing the event in the future. The meeting concluded with plans to revisit the topic in upcoming sessions, ensuring all questions are addressed and that community interests remain a priority.