| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 12:11 am |
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Local News 
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Marysville 's Electric Lights Parade goes dark A tight budget forces Marysville to pull the plug on its parade sponsorship, but other holiday events will continue. MARYSVILLE — The Merrysville for the Holidays Winter Celebration will go on as usual Dec. 5, but a popular part of the event will be conspicuous by its absence.The Electric Lights Parade, a highlight of the celebration for the past 10 of its 20 years, had to be dropped from the city-run event this year because of budget constraints. The parade has featured floats, decorated vehicles, Santa Claus and people just walking down State Avenue. Community groups and nearby cities usually entered floats, city parks director Jim Ballew said. Ironically, last year set a record with 32 floats in the parade, he said. The city did not enter its own float but spent a minimum of $3,200 to $3,800 in overtime for police and firefighters to provide security for the parade, Ballew said. “If weather is an issue, it's more,” he said, because public works and street crews also have to be on the clock. While avoiding the wholesale cuts and layoffs experienced by the county and other cities recently, Marysville still has had to trim the budget to balance the books. “We had to start looking at areas and that was one that unfortunately landed on the floor,” Ballew said. City officials considered trying to find a sponsor for the event but ran out of time, he said. Ballew said he hopes the city can restore the parade next year. Another popular event, the “touch-a-truck” day in the summer when children can board city vehicles, also fell victim to the budget paring knife, City Council president Jeff Seibert said. “Unfortunately, with the budget, we had to cut about $4 million out,” he said. The 21st annual holiday celebration, planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Comeford Park in downtown Marysville, still will include all its other features. Live music, arts and crafts, treats and hot drinks, a bonfire and, at 7 p.m., the lighting of the water tower are planned. A new feature this year expands on past opportunities for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus by adding new backdrops such as the Grinch, an electric car, a forest scene and more. People can bring their own cameras, and a professional photographer will be on-site as well, Ballew said. He said regular parade participants have been understanding about its elimination this year. “They get it and they like the idea that we're continuing the event,” he said. Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439, sheets@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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Only thing to be said about the lack of funds for this event is "MARYSVILLE CITY GOVERNMENT NEEDS AN ENEMA!" The city has the ability to run the operators of a family restaurant out of town,spend the city's money to remodel and operate it but can't afford a long running seasonal event is just not right!!! Enough said...
BJ M | Nov 28, 2009 2:04 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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Bah Hum Bug City Government. The one time of year when we can try to come together the government decides to "pull the plug" on the lights. It's time for new leadership. Next Mayorial election vote for me. Another writer said it best. What this town needs is an enema. I say it's time to give to castor oil to everyone and clean out the clogged system. Put the lights on turn off the mouth.
joel james | Nov 30, 2009 8:19 pm | Request removal