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Parade route unchanged; city to expand activities at middle school for July 4 fireworks
Summary
Sunbury staff said the July 4 parade route will remain the same and the city and Civic will stage food trucks, a kids zone and a glow party at the middle school beginning at 4 p.m.; the Fraternal Order of Eagles is listed as the presenting sponsor for the fireworks.
Sunbury City staff told the Events & Commemorations Committee the July 4 parade route will remain the same this year and that the evening’s activities and fireworks will be focused at the middle school to give the parade and fireworks clearer staging and crowd controls.
City staff described the parade route as beginning at the middle school, proceeding down South Columbus Street, around the square, onto 30 Grandville and returning to the middle school. Food trucks and a kids zone are planned to open on the middle school grounds about 4 p.m., and the flyer included a “glow party” and music to help entertain families while they gather before the fireworks display. Staff said they will schedule the glow/kids activities so children are back with parents by about 9 p.m., before the fireworks.
Officials said they do not expect a revised parade route or a different fireworks location this year after reviewing options; instead the committee will collect more data on parade timing (including how quickly participants move through the Cherry Street intersection) and on how crowds disperse after the parade to inform future site choices. Staff said they plan to use drone video this year to measure timing and dispersal patterns.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is listed on the event flyer as the presenting sponsor for the fireworks. The committee noted the Sunbury Civic Association has been working to secure financial partners in surrounding jurisdictions; staff said Galena has committed funds and Berkshire Township is considering a request. City staff also said they have secured the state permit to close the state route for the parade and that digital signs will be used to discourage residents from setting off private fireworks on school grounds during the display. Police and fire have been briefed on the plan.
The committee discussed but did not adopt any new policy changes; members asked staff to gather parade timing and dispersal data and to continue coordinating with the Civic and sponsors on programming and traffic management.
