Sentinel staff report–
The City of Citrus Heights has opted to discontinue its annual Red, White & Blue Parade this year, citing declining attendance and participation among various reasons for the decision.
“While the parade was a successful event in the city for many years, there has been declining public participation in the planning efforts, parade entries, and event attendance in recent years,” a statement posted on the city’s website on Monday said. Additional reasons listed included increased traffic on Sunrise Boulevard and recent evaluations by the city and county finding that a future parade would “require professional traffic control measures at a much greater expense to the city and the event budget.”
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The city also said the Sunrise MarketPlace, which has been a past sponsor of the parade, “has put its efforts into new, exciting summer events and as a result have reduced capacity to support the parade.”
The city said it will “instead focus on supporting other growing events, and preparing for a signature event in 2020.” Although not specifying what the event in 2020 will be, the statement said future announcements will be made to involve residents in the planning process and gain input on “what event you would like to see in your city.”
The city listed the 20th Anniversary Block Party in 2017, Sunday Funday, and the annual Howl-O-Ween parade and festival among events that it said “have become more successful than ever and are drawing thousands of residents from all over the Citrus Heights community and region.”
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“While the City will not be producing a parade this year, we plan to take the existing resources to enhance these successful, unique, and growing events,” the statement said.
Last year’s parade was the city’s 19th year hosting the Red, White & Blue Parade. The parade route ran along Sunrise Boulevard, beginning just north of Madison Avenue and ending near Greenback Lane in front of Sunrise Mall.
What do you think of the city’s decision to discontinue the Red, White & Blue Parade? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here
Sentinel staff report--
The City of Citrus Heights has opted to discontinue its annual Red, White & Blue Parade this year, citing declining attendance and participation among various reasons for the decision...
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