After all the fireworks over who gets to march in Monterey's Fourth of July parade, the selection of this year's entrants came and went without a hitch, city officials said. In the annual celebration next week, Uncle Sam and the Tap Bananas will walk the walk along with Republicans, Democrats and members of the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom, all groups that thought they might be forced to sit this one out. After 19 years, the event had grown to a point where it had become difficult for city employees to manage.
Proposed new rules to limit participation including one that would ban political groups drew protests from residents who said their self-expression was being smothered. In March, the council approved a first-come, first- served selection process, with space limited to 100. The city received 97 applications to participate, said City Manager Fred Meurer.
"The council set the rules and the rules were followed, and we will see how the community likes the parade." On the list are an array of parties and entertainers, including Kidz on Stilz, Groucho Marx, the Green Party of Monterey County, the Peace Coalition of Monterey County, Park Avenue Studio of Bellydance, the Sons of Italy and at least one new entry this year: Residents for a Nonpartisan Parade. "It's the standard entertainment value that we have," said Kay Russo, city recreation and community services director.
"There are groups that weren't in it last year and groups last year that are coming back." And it's a manageable number of people, said Russo, whose department is charged with organizing and running the event. Attorney Michelle Welsh of the Monterey County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, who spoke out against the proposed rules and then worked with the city to draft new ones that kept the parade open to political groups, said she had not heard any complaints from parade entrant hopefuls and was glad to hear the process went smoothly.
"It seemed to me to be an example of the system working," Welsh said. "When (the Council) heard the public on it, they turned it around." Welsh said she had other holiday plans, otherwise she, too, would be at the parade carrying a sign.
Russo said she's confident the parade is going to be great, though she's curious what reaction the crowd will have to political signs in the parade. She added, "Welcome to the Fourth of July in America." Dania Akkad can be reached at 646-4494 or dakkad@montereyherald.
com. If you go What:Flag raising ceremony and parade When:10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Where:Colton Hall on Pacific Street What:Fireworks display over Monterey Bay When:9:15 p.
m. After all the fireworks over who gets to march in Monterey's Fourth of July parade, the selection of this year's entrants came and went without a hitch, city officials said.
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