Celebrate Wildwood commission keeps parade, adapts budget plan and greenlights logo contest

Co-Chair Pat Jones convened the Celebrate Wildwood Commission on Oct. 20 and the panel voted to authorize development of a new event logo via a contest while affirming the parade’s place in next year’s celebration.

The meeting drew an extended public comment from resident Jim Van Ness, who urged the commission not to “mess with the parade” and suggested staging the procession behind the Snooks building, ending it near the fountain and adding volunteer spotters to reduce the number of children running into the street. “Don’t mess with the parade,” Van Ness said during public comment.

Staff briefed the commission on costs and council budget action. Sergeant Grace and event staff told the commission the parade costs about $10,500, with approximately $5,000 of that total for golf‑cart rentals for dignitaries…