Council approves 2025 parade permits; debates earlier event‑application deadlines

The New Richmond City Council unanimously approved permits for three 2025 parades — St. Patrick’s Day, Fun Fest and Hometown Holidays — while council members pressed for clearer, earlier deadlines for large event applications.

Staff recommended approval of the three parade applications with conditions: payment of parade permit fees and submission of certificates of insurance before permits are issued; parade organizers must notify affected residents and businesses; organizers and the chamber must meet with city staff about past‑event lessons learned; and participants must not consume alcohol during parades. Bars and restaurants located on an approved parade route may receive an extension of premise to allow open containers in front of their business from one hour before the parade start until one hour after it ends.

For 2025, staff said the St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held Monday, March 17, and will start at 5:00 p.m. because earlier start times caused school‑bus and student‑attendance concerns. The Fun Fest parade is scheduled for Sunday, July 13 at 12:00 p.m. and will follow the traditional route south on Knowles Avenue to Sixth Street. The Hometown Holidays parade is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Merriman moved to approve the three parade permits with the conditions as presented; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Council members spent significant time debating event‑application timing for large annual events. Staff and the police chief described operational reasons to know dates and major event details early in the year: park shelter reservations open January 1, staff vacation scheduling and public‑safety planning require advance notice, and some event infrastructure (overflow parking, route changes) needs extra lead time. Several council members said they expected dates for established events to be known by Jan. 1; staff said completed applications were not yet in hand for all Fun Fest components but that parade dates were received.

The council directed staff to continue discussions with the Chamber of Commerce and bring a proposal on firm application deadlines — including the possibility of a six‑month lead time for non‑parade event details — to an upcoming work session.

Staff will bring the remaining Fun Fest permit components (street closures, carnival, outdoor music) back to the council once the chamber has collected signatures from adjoining property owners and completed application materials.