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Parade comes with high price
Published Friday, November 30, 2007
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Christmas Parade is intended to draw crowds next week, but the holiday festivities don’t come without a price tag.
Last year, the city took up the gauntlet when the Natchez Downtown Development Association decided not to organize the parade as they had in the past.
This year, the city is again in charge. But that means paying street performers, entertainers and city security personnel, among other costs.
“It’s difficult to say (how much the parade will cost) because of all the variables,” parade committee chairman Darrell White said. “It could easily go into the thousands.”
Most of the costs for the roughly dozen floats will be offset by sponsors and donations, White said.
“We have received gifts in-kind and dollars have been contributed by individuals and the local business community,” he said. “And the highlighted specialty floats, which will be introduced in this parade, the funding all came from various individual sponsors.”
Those floats must be assembled beforehand. And while those sponsors and volunteers are mostly responsible for the work, the city’s public works department has been asked to pitch in.
“”We will be helping to assemble the floats,” Public Works Director Eric Smith said. “I can’t put a number on it right now, because I don’t know how long it will take.”
A more daunting task is to erect barricades before the parade, he said. To put up the 500 barricades necessary for the parade, it will likely take 18 public works employees two hours, Smith said. At an average of $10 per hour, the manpower will cost roughly $360.
Public works also cleans the streets before and after a parade. That process only takes four employees, he said.
“We usually are done cleaning about 30 minutes to an hour after a parade is finished,” he said. “The vacuum truck eliminated a lot of manpower.”
Security also takes personnel. Roughly 20 Natchez Police officers will be paid overtime to be present during the parade and direct traffic before and after the parade.
“Each parade costs roughly $2,000 in police department overtime,” Police Chief Mike Mullins said. “You have to have security any time you have large groups of people. Anytime there’s a parade on public streets, the police department is charged with security.”
Smith said he thought the time, money and effort put into the parade was worthwhile.
“I think it’s definitely worth it,” Smith said. “To me, it shows unity in the community, putting our children and other persons in the Christmas spirit. So, I definitely think it’s worth it.”
Organizers hoped to bring people to town and create something special, White said.
“We’re looking for a large turnout,” he said. “It will be an event that is sure to make fond memories.”
Comments
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What kind of street performers/enertainers are you guys talking about???
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
>>>PEACERULZ<<< I would like the answer too.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the first articles about the parade said they would have clowns. I figured it had to be the city officials.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 3:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought we gave the clowns a raise...do they need more money to dance in the streets??
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see, the public works department is helping with construction of floats, sets up barricades and cleans up after the parade??
Now, this is the same public works department that is strapped for resources when asked to clean up vacant lots, etc. Hmm, looks like the public works department likes to pick and choose their projects.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like a parade but I hate clowns. Maybe the street performers could be the cops tazering the politicians, now that would bring out the citizens to watch.
Posted by fedup21 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Public Works does not choose projects. They totally serve the community. PW is probably operating at an all time high now. The morale and dedication is great over there now. Vacant lots should be cleaned by the land owner. The city must stop handicapping these people. PW keep up the good work.
Posted by lrunnels (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The performers they are talking about are the schools/bands. Back when I was in school, it was and honor, and was expected. Now, we have to transport the students, feed them, and take them home!
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I haven't been to one of our parades in a while because they got boring and weren't very creative. Maybe this year I'll come with hopes of seeing something new. I mean parades are supposed to be about more than getting candy thrown at you.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Frogprincess - thanks for making me laugh. I hope the parade draws a crowd - and the weather is good.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like I stepped on a toe about the public works department. Sorry!
I did not realized, that the public works department was an autonomous department, and does not answer to the city council.
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All of this information on what everything costs and who is in charge of what, but not one word about when the parade is? If you are going to do a story about a parade, please include ALL of the details.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The parade is set to roll at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8"
That is the last I saw about a date and time.
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks gemccull! Did I miss that in the article?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2007...
I suppose that is the correct time and date????
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks again. Sorry I took your parking spot on Thanksgiving! lol
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, but next time I will be in my 4x4 truck and you can retrieve you little vehicle down in the woods! :) huh!
Have a nice day!
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, next time I'm parking in the yard! Thanks for the laugh. Hope you have a great day, too!
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good idea, angie!
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, except if we let them out to work, they might "escape" like that one from CPSO. We wouldn't want that to happen.
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very true, angie! That's what I meant.
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this the same PW Dept that lost a bulldozer?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on November 30, 2007 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The county lost the frontend loader, I have not heard about a bulldozer missing???
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the downtown development group is paying for all the entertainers and such. It did say that the floats were being sponsored by businesses. I would hate to have the city pay for such a fabulous parade when we can't even afford to hire two more policemen. That's kind of like the little shack houses you can see with cadillacs in the yard and satallite dishes on the roof. It is called "priorities".
Posted by natsanus (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The community should come together and support the parade for the childern. For the childern the parade is an exciting event. It was exciting for me when I was child and as an adult I still enjoy watching the parade. It would be nice if the police department would ask some of their officer to donate time to help protect the public. The kids would love them for helping.
Posted by eagles (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you freedom! I love it when people have their priorities right because so many don't. Natsanus, you are right also. The kids do love it and I think it would be nice if the officers could donalte their time. What are we talking, 2 hours?
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why should they donate their time no one else is going too.
Posted by getreal (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lets all give the parade a chance seeing as they are trying to make it more fun to come to. also tonight is the lighting of the tree lets all try to make it and start the holiday season off with peace and joy
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i think natchez & vidalia should combine both parades in vidalia where it is safer for the children
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mullins said it cost $2000. for the officers to work the parade. That means it is substanially more than 2 hours each. Besides, they have to be on the clock to be protected by the insurance. So many people are down on the SO and PD, that they are just waiting for them to have their guard down to hurt them. They will have to handle the hoodlums that the parades seem to bring out. Pay them, pay them well, they earn every penny.
The kids will not love them any more if they donate their time, but their kids will love to get the little extras their extra salaries will provide.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on December 1, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
frogprincenessntz, you are right as usual. This bonus of overtime will probably buy some wanted Santa presents for the policemens kids. And remember, they do donate their time for "Shop with a Cop" each Christmas for underpriviledged kids.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on December 1, 2007 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me that the richest organization in town ..The Garden Club..does not ever donate to the parade or any other festivals in town,but always has their hands out looking for donations.Come on Garden Club...donate a little of that old money so the children can have a great parade.
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