Franklin commission weighs moving Fourth parade to Sunday for 2026 celebration

The Franklin Civic Celebration Commission on Monday discussed moving the city’s Fourth of July parade from Saturday to Sunday for the 2026 celebration, saying a Sunday parade could draw more participants but would create scheduling and logistics trade-offs. Commission member John Bergner said, “Should we do the parade on Sunday instead of Saturday. We can get a lot more participants by doing it on that Sunday versus Saturday.” He told the commission the idea is to explore whether a Sunday parade would attract groups from Greendale and other nearby communities and to ask the police department what it would take to support the change. Why it matters: moving the parade affects the festival schedule, vendor operations and public-safety planning. Bergner and other members said the commission must seek Common Council approval before making a final change: “I could make it at a Common Council meeting as soon as we come up with an idea what we wanna do,” Bergner said, adding the commission aims to ask council within three to four weeks. Members discussed two broad scheduling options: keep a three-day festival (as in 2025) or return to a four-day format that would include Thursday night performances. Thursday availability of main acts (Bella Caine was cited as available on a Thursday) and the need for a makeup day for outdoor events factored into the discussion. Bergner said fireworks would remain scheduled for July 4, meaning a Sunday parade would not replace the fireworks date and could leave the commission without a makeup day if Sunday activities are disrupted by weather. Police and logistics: A representative said the department would make staffing adjustments if given ample notice. Bergner noted carnival operators and the ride wristband schedule would need to be adjusted if a parade runs during the day: “They usually open at 12. But this one, if we do the parade at 1, they would have to go maybe wristband 2 to 6 because we don't want the carnival running during the parade,” he said. Costs and alternatives: Commissioners raised cost and volunteer concerns. A member highlighted the high price of drone shows compared with fireworks — “we did that one year for $9,000. The current price now is $40,000,” Bergner said — and noted drones would still require traffic control and police staffing. The commission also discussed making the parade later (no sooner than noon) so it does not conflict with morning church services and so food vendors can serve hungry parade-goers. Next steps: Commissioners agreed to gather more input, consult Parade Coordinator Anna Damsky (excused from the meeting) and present preliminary dates and spending requests to the Common Council for approval. No formal vote on dates was taken; members emphasized the Common Council has final approval on parade dates and festival spending.