Fair board requires application for parade

Registration for a spot in the 2008 Washington County Fair parade will be required by all participants for the first time in county history, according to Steve Tornes, president of the fair board.

Throughout the years, floats, walkers, bands, clowns, vehicles and other participants were asked only to show up and join in the march.

"We had talked about this for years, but never required a registration before," Tornes said. "The decision was made this year on the recommendation of our attorney."

One of the largest organized parades in the region, the annual Washington County Fair parade usually has 100 or more units, Tornes said. It's been a highlight of fair activities Labor Day weekend and the traditional kickoff of the fair.

"The idea of registration is that way we know who is in the parade ahead of time," Tornes said.

The deadline for registration is Friday, Aug. 22. There is no fee.

"I think it's a good thing and have no problem with registration," said Fern Frank, a longtime member of the Marietta Clown Club. "I've done some big parades over the years, like Sugar Creek and Zane Trace, and all of them ask a registration."

Frank, better known in costume as "Honeysuckle" or "Raggedy Ann," said she would also like the fair board to assign "spots" to the various parade participants and groups.

"You know that you have your spot that way," Frank said. "One year we were all lined up ready to go and in came one or two groups late who wanted to get in front of us. This is a good idea, and even if they just put you in line as you register, it would be good."

Tornes said the board's unanimous decision to require registration was likely tied to an incident at last year's parade when one group, Neighbors for Clean Air, was asked not to march with the parade.

"Nobody likes change," he said.

Marietta resident Florence Beidler, a member of Neighbors for Clean Air, said she doesn't think registration for the parade is necessary.

"It's another indication that they are trying to prevent people with different viewpoints from being in the parade," Beidler said.

Neighbors for Clean Air, a group committed to improving air quality in the area, will be marching in this year's parade, she said. The fair board recently voted to allow the group to participate.

Beidler is one of two Neighbors for Clean Air members suing the fair board because of the parade incident in 2007.

"They need to understand that this is a First Amendment rights issue," she said. "I don't want to rub their noses in it; I just want them to know that they don't have the right to kick you out. Without rights, we have nothing."

Neighbors for Clean Air, targeting primarily Eramet emissions, will register for the parade.

The popular parade, scheduled for Aug. 30, begins in downtown Marietta and proceeds north along Front Street to the Washington County Fairgrounds. The parade begins at 10 a.m. from the vicinity of Ohio Street at Third and Fourth streets.

The 2008 parade marshal is the local Shrine organization, representing the Shriner's Hospital for children. Shrine members from Columbus, Charleston, and Wheeling will be represented in the parade.

John Hadley, a Marietta resident and president of the Nemesis Shrine Club of Parkersburg, said registration is a good idea.

"You know who is in the parade. Registration gives the parade committee an idea of what groups will be there," he said.

Member Comments

View Comments: | 1-12 | Post a comment

Please
08-08-08 6:52 PM »Report Abuse	"Do you really think the federal Environmental Protection Agency is going to let these big companies get away with poisoning us?" This is priceless. Have you ever heard of Woburn, Ma? Hexavalent chrominum? the Love Canal? The government would never allow industry to poison us - yeah right!
RiverQueen
08-08-08 2:15 PM »Report Abuse	These plants are accountable for everything. I know someone that messed up recording the dials by 2 tenths and the EPA called him within 30 minutes wanting an explaination and correction. The lawsuit needs to be dropped. Do they really expect to gain any more than what they have achieved already?
teaglass97
08-08-08 1:53 PM »Report Abuse	Maybe the Wizard of Oz committee that post comments on here could build a float for the parade. I'll pass out the candy.
ladynoogs
08-08-08 1:47 PM »Report Abuse	I think the registration is a good thing.. as long as the fair board doesnt use it to discriminated against groups who want to participate. I'm interested to see if they would allow a Pagan or Gay group participate. there are both in the area.
Phantom13
08-08-08 1:31 PM »Report Abuse	NCA is wrong on the First Amendment issue, it's the Fair Board's parade. If I remember correctly I saw NCA using their first amendment rights by protesting along the parade route last year....
MttaOpin
08-08-08 1:08 PM »Report Abuse	Seems they had some motives... Whatever group affected, be it the NCA or the GOP, I'm glad they're not letting themselves get pushed around. I wouldn't either.
MttaOpin
08-08-08 1:04 PM »Report Abuse	Why didn't they just let em' in the parade in the first place?
katydid48
08-08-08 12:51 PM »Report Abuse	I agree with puzzle that these people are being rediculous. They must really be desparate for advertising space. Plus, if the fair board, commissioners, or whoever have to pay to defend themselves against this suit, who do you think will end up paying for it? We will! Whether its higher ticket costs to get into the fair, or cuts in other county programs, we the citizens of this county will have to pay. So, I say go ahead and be in the parade and put up your signs, etc., etc. but don't impinge on my rights by running up big legal bills for our county officials. One more thing here, I've worked with both the Ohio and federal EPA. Do you really think the federal Environmental Protection Agency is going to let these big companies get away with poisoning us? Or maybe you want these companies to pull out and go to China or Mexico -- AND TAKE ALL THEIR JOBS WITH THEM? I am as much in favor of our freedoms as you are, but we have to be realistic.
MttaOpin
08-08-08 12:37 PM »Report Abuse	The article title says "application", but the article says "registration." Did The Mtta Times mess-up?
puzzle
08-08-08 11:50 AM »Report Abuse	The more I read the more ridiculous this is getting. You ever heard of beating a dead horse? I see absolutely no problem with the fair board doing the registration. It is something that should have been done a long time ago. It is just a registration – go online and read it. No big deal! Other parades do it….Belpre Homecoming, Marietta Christmas parade, etc…… I would like to see the NCA march in the Christmas parade..I would hate it if they were just singling out the fair parade to get their view expressed. Spread the cheer around. It’s time to let it go and move on. The Fair Board has let it go and moved on. It is time the NCA does the same. If the NCA plans to keep harping on this lawsuit, then obviously their real objective, ‘clean air’ is not at the top of their agenda.
MttaOpin
08-08-08 10:08 AM »Report Abuse	Are they gonna do background checks and require fingerprinting for all participants? What if a terrorist tries to blend in with the clowns?
RiverQueen
08-08-08 9:39 AM »Report Abuse	Hopefully, this registration also includes a liability release. Everybody screams First Amendment Rights until an accident occurs (like the Barlow Fair Parade) and then there is trouble. I also hope each parade participant shows their appreciation of the parade opportunity by attending the fair.

You must first login before you can comment.

Existing Member Login
Not a Member?	Create a Member Account
*Your email address:		<--Email REQUIRED!
*Password:	Forgot Password?	<--Password REQUIRED!
	Remember my email address.