Citing a difficult economic climate for fundraising and West College Drive construction, Brainerd Community Action announced Friday it is cancelling the annual Fourth of July parade in Brainerd.
For the past 35 years, Brainerd Community Action reports it has coordinated and been involved with the fundraising for the week-long Brainerd/Baxter 4th of July celebration.
It has never been difficult to fund raise for this celebration until now, said Nancy Cross, Community Action director.
“Brainerd Community Action is not part of the city of Brainerd, nor are we a department of the chamber,” Cross wrote in an email. “We are a nonprofit corporation that took on the 4th of July celebration at the request of Mayor George Bedard in 1987. Every year we have to spend the money before we raise the money. Every year it is an educated guess if we are going to come out in the red or black.
“Every year more and different challenges are put before us in order to provide a safe event for all who attend. For several years the economy has not the best, so donations are down considerably. Another factor impacting this year’s celebration is that West College Drive will be under construction. With the construction of West College Drive and after reconsidering other parade route options, the board has determined that there is no safe way to have a 4th of July Parade in 2012.”
Despite not being able to have the annual parade, Brainerd Community Action reported it would like to uphold the tradition of Brainerd’s celebration with entertainment and fireworks.
“With donations down, we are having a difficult time raising the money to pay for that portion of the celebration,” Cross reported. “In order for the entertainment and fireworks to happen in 2012, we need to raise an additional $15,000 by May 3.”
Other events will continue as usual, such as: the June 28 Little Miss/Mister; June 29 Show ‘n’ Shine; June 30 Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure, Miss Brainerd/Baxter Scholarship Pageant; July 1 38th annual Arts in the Park; July 2 Right Friends Picnic; and July 3 Gospel Night.
Community Action still needs to fill 50 booth spaces for Arts in the Park.
“If we cannot raise the additional $15,000 to cover the cost of the fireworks and entertainment by May 3rd, the money that has been raised to date will be placed in a designated fund for a 4th of July celebration for 2013,” Cross stated. “We sincerely believe that the Brainerd celebration is a treasured tradition that should continue and every dollar raised an important one.”
Cross said people who want to see another “amazing Brainerd/Baxter 4th of July American Celebration” may send a tax deductible contribution to: Brainerd Community Action, 213 S. Fifth St., Brainerd, MN 56401.
Comments (22)
Add commentI've never thought of the parade as amazing,
but I know the little kids enjoy it. Personally, the 4th celebration is the exact same thing year after year, with little to no variety. What is going to happen to the money people have sent in for "privileged parking"?
The parade wasn't about the
entitled and therefore it has to go by the wayside. Patiotism isn't a part of the Brainerd agenda anymore. I'm sure there will be a celebration of some sorts by those that hate the USA because this is the beginning of the end.
@Fair n Balanced
People like you should stay under their rock.
Sincerely,
The rest of Minnesota.
No parade...too bad.
We made plans to visit our family in Brainerd during the week of the 4th. Our children were excited to go to the parade. We were going to watch their cousins, who are in the Civil Air Patrol, march in the parade this year. It would have been our first year to see them. What a disappointment, so sorry to hear it.
i never went to the brainerd parade
mostly because the pequot parade is so much easier for me to watch from a comfortable chair on my front porch
Politicos Gone Wild
What are they going to do with all the political races going on this fall and now there's no Brainerd parade to meet all the people at? They seem to be good at raising funds for their elections, maybe they should have charged the campaigns to be there. Then they could have had the parade. Goodbye th of July Capital of the World. I hope the Fireworks still rock. They make the day.
parade
What a let down----Earth to Community Action people----Brainerd has more streets where a parade could be held. Although it wasn't exactly the Macys Thanksgiving Parade it was something the kids really looked forward to.
@cyclerod48
Earth to cyclerod48, DID YOU NOT READ THE ARTICLE?!?! They said "...reconsidering other parade route options...”
Everyone needs to read the article before they make assumptions!
Well, so much for those plans
I was actually planning on coming "home" for the 4th this year to see the parade. I always liked it, and this year I was able to get time off over the holiday and was looking forward to coming up for the event. One of the things I liked best was the idea of milling around and seeing people I havent seen in a long time. Even if they still have the "concert" at the high school and fireworks I wont bother. A 3rd rate band and a really really lame "Elvis" doesnt cut it. The fireworks are awesome, but thats only 20 minutes.
I have to wonder if the parade itself was part of the problem in the fundraising dept? Last time I was there the parade pretty much consisted of dump trucks, cement mixers, fire trucks and squad cars, Al Franken flop sweating, people passing out political propaganda, radio station people in Groucho masks, and Fleet Farm frisbees. That said, I still liked it. Just a good time to come together as a community.
Was George Bedard the mayor in 1987?
@Nate204
I checked and you're not who you claimed. You're just with the liberal trash.
Wasn't very impressed last year..
In fact I was wondering where the actual parade was because there was n't too much of anything other than the firetruck, police and politicians and ...well I can't really think of much else. Not to be a downer but it was pretty much wasted time for those of us that had never attended before so am guessing that the one's that anticipate it are just nostalgic.
not the best but...
i admit its not the best parade ever but it brings in a lot of people every year! people = money to the area! i've played in some sort of music group in the parade at least 20 of the last 25 years! we need more 'entertainment' in the parade. what ever happened to 'alice's restaurant' and other floats like that? i'm just saying we shouldn't just throw it away this year because of some construction! we need to make it work in some way!!
Parades Take Work, Time & Money
Too bad about the cancelling of the Brainerd 4th parade! Parades are great for the observers and communities. Those behind the scenes spend lots of time organizing and managing these events. Unfortunately, it is getting increasingly tougher to get people to help with these events. It's the old story of no one misses the water until the well goes dry. Hopefully, this cancellation will "get people off their collective duffs" and they will feel the need to maybe help these volunteers who have put their hearts into the event each year. They don't like it either, you can bet on that! And for those of you who gripe about how boring and uninteresting the parade is, well, you won't have to worry about it this year.
Simple solution..
Charge those sidewalk hogs who start staking out their spots in June. Charge those motorhomes who camp for free and take up 40 feet of road frontage. I'd have no issues donating for a spot for my family.
Lost Sight
The Brainerd parade lost sight of it’s original meaning two decades ago. With the exception of a few entries involved to celebrate our independence, this parade has been nothing but a string of drive-by commercials and political campaigning. I stopped attending with my family years ago. Good riddance.
Plenty of other things
There are plenty of other parades, and I agree with leftover, it is silly that people have been allowed to stake out spots on public land and stay in their motorhomes to make it difficult for all to see the parade. You can't do that in Nisswa, Pequot or any other parade site that I am aware of. Maybe if the parade did not get such a bad rap for letting these people stake out their areas, there may have been more donations....no one wants to donate if there is controversy.
Funding Solution
Shake the money tree of the local DFL and have the parade through downtown Baxter.
oh well
we quit going years ago when the good music was history (steppenwolf,mandel etc) and would pay admission for good music and fireworks. brainerd has always hated to pay for entertainment!
Parade
Unfortunate that the drunks will not be able to throw things at the pacifists again this year.
anyone can save a spot for the parade!
Wow, all these bitter comments about people that "claim" a spot to camp out for the day/evening of the 4th celebration! Why so angry? You can pick a spot too! That's the beauty of it. Anyone can do it! Why don't you try it sometime? We've been doing it every year for the past 10 or so years. We set up a screened in tent, bring coolers, chairs, picnic table and enjoy the day! If they charged I would gladly pay the fee. It's too bad the parade is cancelled this year but the 4th is on Wednesday so perhaps it wouldn't have been so well attended anyway. Speaking of the parade, I agree with the quality of the parade. It has lost it's appeal over the years. Too many politicians spewing their lies and false promises and not enough music and entertainment. Would love to see more marching bands and floats as well. As for the fireworks.....are you kidding? No fireworks? How could this be? IF more money was needed why didn't anyone let us know a couple of months ago? Fundraisers could have been done. If we don't have fireworks or a parade this year we may as well not plan any for next year either because people will make alternate plans for this year and perhaps discover that smaller towns have a lot to offer for the 4th and they may decide to start family traditions at the same place they will be celebrating this year.
sidewalk hogs
Hellloooo, (leftover), We camper people do pay for permits to park on the route..and personally we pay for 3 spots for the camper and a couple of extra spots for the cars....So I guess WE are doing OUR part!
about the kids
I know it is a lame parade but the kids really do love it. I think they could have found another route. We can do St. Pats downtown. I think there could be something worked out. Other than my kids, it will really hurt all the local business. It is sad, they are hurting and now they will take a big blow for the month of July.
If they want to stake, let them but only 24 hrs before.