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Committee identifies parade as highest-cost event; outlines next steps for commitments and fillers
Summary
Members said the parade is the most expensive, logistically complex event for the tricentennial and discussed staging, possible dates, small-scale "fillers" and where to site music and parking.
The Tricentennial Committee on July 16 identified the parade as the meeting—s most expensive and logistically complex event and began work to line up participants, venues and smaller complementary events.
Committee members said the parade will require early commitments from marching bands, reenactment groups and visiting units and that the group should pursue smaller, easily secured participants early (local businesses, flatbeds, small bands) while working to recruit larger participants such as out-of-town bands and a mass marching band.
"The parade is the big one. The parade is the most expensive, logistically complicated thing," a committee member said during discussion about scheduling and recruitment. Members suggested a stepped approach: secure many small/local participants now to show momentum while pursuing major participants and possible financial support for travel expenses.
The committee also discussed timing and venue logistics. Because the chosen Heritage Day date conflicted with a Jewish high holiday in one year, the parade date had been moved to Sunday, and members said that compressed some scheduling and staging needs. Saint Mark—s Field was mentioned as a staging or festival site but members raised parking and traffic concerns and said the middle-school area offers better parking and access for emergency services.
Members also discussed whether to pair the parade with a post-parade music program and food area, saying a stage and vendors near the middle school or another large lot might provide the crowd amenities the committee wants. The meeting included practical suggestions for recruitment: approach local businesses (flatbed trucks, community groups), military reenactors and fife-and-drum corps, and state-level groups who often perform at minimal cost.
No formal commitments were recorded at the July 16 meeting. The committee said the parade working group will reconvene in August to begin collecting firm commitments for the 2027 schedule and to report back on pledges and potential funding needs.
