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Star City parade organizers face decision

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BY CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Dec 01, 2007 - 07:54:06 am CST

The fate of the 23rd annual Star City Holiday Parade rests on whether some early risers take a tumble on downtown pavement Saturday morning.

At 5:30 a.m., Mayor Chris Beutler, parade organizers and others will check the conditions on O Street and make a final determination by 6 as to whether it’s safe enough to hold a parade. Update: Weather halts parade plans

The National Weather Service on Friday first issued a winter storm watch for Lincoln, then changed that to an ice storm warning, beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday.

Story Photo
Star City Holiday Parade spectators watch the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Marching Band go by as reflected in one player's tuba in 2004. (LJS file)

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43rd Army Band

Parkview Christian Marching Band

Deshler Marching Band

Beatrice Marching Band

Canceled:

Lincoln Southeast Marching Band

Alma Marching Band

Lincoln North Star Marching Band

Papillion LaVista South Marching Band

Lincoln Southwest Marching Band

Lincoln Southwest Theatre Float

Lincoln High Marching Band

Bancroft-Rosalie Marching Band

Lincoln Northeast Marching Band

Pius X Marching Band

Lincoln East Marching Band

Lawrence/Nelson Marching Band

“Canceling the parade is the last resort,”  Diane Gonzolas, manager of Public Information Services for the city, said Friday.

But it’s a possibility.

Deb Johnson, executive director of the parade, said she and the rest of Updowntowners Inc. were preparing Friday as if the parade was going to happen. She said she hadn’t checked the weather all day ” reporters updated her enough during frequent phone calls, she said.

Even if the balloons and floats take over O Street as planned, most marching bands scheduled to perform Saturday canceled Friday. Of the 16 scheduled, 12 dropped out.

The UNL band posted this statement on its Web site Friday: “The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Lincoln area including a 100 percent chance of freezing rain for Saturday, Dec. 1.

“In light of this information, and in the best interests of the health and safety of our student musicians, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhusker Marching Band has elected to withdraw from the 2007 Star City Holiday Parade.”

All Lincoln Public School bands pulled out as well, citing safety concerns.

The 43rd Army Band, Parkview Christian Marching Band, Deshler Marching Band and Beatrice Marching Band had not called Johnson to announce cancellations as of Friday night.

Deshler’s band director, Deb Pohlmann, called Johnson and promised not only a band, but volunteers to hold the balloons or help in any other way possible. Because Deshler was the only band to march in the snow two years ago, Johnson said she believes those promises will come true.

Johnson said she received plenty of positive calls on Friday.

“We are getting a lot of support,” she said. “We are getting lots of calls of people who want to volunteer.”

Typically, she said, inclement weather thins out the available help. Perhaps because the weather poses such a serious threat, she said, people are offering their time to make sure the Star City Holiday Parade, which has never been canceled, stays that way.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-2655 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.


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Bob wrote on November 30, 2007 2:51 pm:
" ...cannot understand why the people who run the parade are being so inflexible about the parade. So..it hasn't been canceled in 22 years- so what? They should have announced a reschedule of the parade for Sunday, and should have done it this morning. Lots of kids (our son too) have practiced long hours, to march in the parade. Now, it's too late- the schools, and UNL are out. "
Observer wrote on November 30, 2007 3:06 pm:
" It's a good thing our ancestors were hardier than today's crop! "
Smart wrote on November 30, 2007 3:23 pm:
" Very good decision. "
Tony wrote on November 30, 2007 3:27 pm:
" If there will be a snow storm on saturday, why don't they postpone the parade to sunday instead? "
Safety First Folks!! wrote on November 30, 2007 3:59 pm:
" Cancellation of the parade in light of this nasty winter storm forecast would probably the safest and smartest decision for all involved. "
B wrote on November 30, 2007 4:03 pm:
" As a former marching band member, and having marched in the Star City Parade numerous years, this was probably a good call. Ice and show can not only put the safety of students at risk, but risk damage to the instruments, and uniforms. "
5j8di wrote on November 30, 2007 4:17 pm:
" Thats too bad. A lot of people worked really hard to put the parade together. Why will the band play in the rain and snow for Husker football games, but when there is a "report" of snow they back out all together. "We'll all stick together in all kinds of weather....." Sounds familiar... right? "
Erik wrote on November 30, 2007 4:20 pm:
" Why don't they just cancel the entire thing and reschedule it for next weekend? It is the smart thing to do. "
Lincoln is crazy wrote on November 30, 2007 4:33 pm:
" THIS is the primary reason it is absolutely ridiculous to have a parade in the middle of winter. Who wants to drag their small children out in freezing weather to watch the parade? Aren't parades usually geared towards small children? I have never heard of another city who has a parade in December. Wake up. This has happened twice in the last 5 years. Perhaps we should elect to change the date to July 4 or Memorial Day or some other holiday where the weather is more conducive to standing outside. "
j wrote on November 30, 2007 4:43 pm:
" why don't they go ahead and cancel it, the weather is going to be bad, why wait until 5:30 a.m....it just puts a lot of people out having to plan ahead for the weather. I feel there won't be much of a turnout if they keep it going, or volunteers simply won't show up if it's nasty outside.. "
Don wrote on November 30, 2007 4:50 pm:
" Good call. With the money spent on instrument repairs and doctor visits after a subzero parade, we could send the musicians to Hawaii and broadcast the parade from there. "
Stormy Weather wrote on November 30, 2007 4:52 pm:
" Don't Rain On My Parade!!!! "
A Little Cold wrote on November 30, 2007 4:57 pm:
" Light Weights. If they want a "Summer" parade have it in the summer. The Star City Holiday Parade is suppose to be cold. Is almost winter! "
Aimee wrote on November 30, 2007 5:10 pm:
" Why has the parade not been postponed or canceled? They've been predicting this weather for a few days now and they could have stopped several out of state participants from coming or wasting their trips. "
What if... wrote on November 30, 2007 6:13 pm:
" Why couldn't the schools wait until morning and actually see what the storm brings before cancelling? What if the storm turns out to be nothing? In the future would it be possible to announce on the morning news whether the parade will go on or not then the bands would know to be there or not. Almost like cancelling school for snow. "
matt wrote on November 30, 2007 6:59 pm:
" It's not the snow and it's not the cold...it's the ICE and the fact that it's too dangerous to send busloads of band kids traveling in those conditions. I agree that a decision to reschedule to Sunady or next Saturday should have been made today, Friday. "
Canada-Z (&L) wrote on November 30, 2007 7:10 pm:
" It's the toughest job in the world to have to balance participants, safety, volunteers, year-long planning, audience expectations and enjoyment --- and have it all come down to "weather or not!" Chin up, organizers! We know you're doing the best job you can -- and making the wisest choices. Count on our support from the frosty north. "
Beth wrote on November 30, 2007 7:13 pm:
" Gee, I wish our band that travels into Lincoln would pull out. My daughter has to drive 15 miles to catch a bus that will travel 50 more miles. I don't know, maybe it's the ice, buses with no seat belts, and the potential for harmful accidents. Why risk it? Why debate it? "
Clint wrote on November 30, 2007 8:40 pm:
" Safety first, regardless of pride in this event. They should have made the decision on Friday and in the future move the event to the weekend before Thanskgiving and still have it be a holiday parade. it's everyone's weekend, not just those working the event and we should not have to wait until Saturday AM to know what to do and whether to come to town. "
Shannon wrote on November 30, 2007 8:41 pm:
" I think it is silly to not postpone the parade. Why risk broken limbs just so a FEW people (I know I won't be going out driving in that let alone walking in it) can watch some holiday floats. I can't believe some people don't understand the differnece between marching on a SNOWY FIELD versus ICE COATED PAVEMENT. I know I wouldn't want to march to any beat down the street while I can't really watch where I am walking. And what a good point somebody els makes, why the heck do we have a winter parade and no summer parade...how about a nice veteran's day parade or 4th of July parade? This city is a bit crazy. POSTPONE THE PARADE SO I CAN ATTEND!!! "
Good grief... wrote on November 30, 2007 8:47 pm:
" for those people whining about not wanting to march in snow...this storm is not about the snow. It is about the FREEZING RAIN AND ICE! Why would anyone want to risk themselve to participate in or watch a parade when everything could be covered in a sheet of ice. Seriously, get a clue, cancelling it is the best thing to do. "
Brrrrrr....... wrote on November 30, 2007 10:17 pm:
" There’s always been something wrong with this Star City Parade. A parade when weather is so unfavorable to the ones who really want to see it – the kids – has always confused me. The other problem is the traffic that is allowed to continue driving north on 10th street in 2 lanes while the parade participants are in the other 2 lanes – at the same time. "
Mom wrote on November 30, 2007 10:24 pm:
" I don't want to jeopardize my kids by taking them out on slick streets to stand in freezing rain. What are the downtown people thinking? This parade is for the kids and toddlers and preschoolers should not be out in freezing rain. "
as wrote on November 30, 2007 10:59 pm:
" As the parent of a Pius band member & two other younger ones, I'm grateful that the director has chosed to pull out today rather than risk trying to get downtown tomorrow morning in horrid weather. It is a risk to my daughter, my other children as well as to her band equipment. (would not have been looking forward to the repair bill after the ice gets at her instrument, not to mention the doctor bills) Yes, this is Lincoln & bad weather is to be expected. However safety of the band students & instrements has to come first for these schools. The Updowntowners should have rescheduled the parade when the weather forecast was first made. But then their apparent and long standing obstance regarding what they want for downtown Lincoln has no boundaries. "
My Opinion wrote on November 30, 2007 11:01 pm:
" No offense but this "parade" is useless, boring and simply causes traffice problems which lincoln has plenty of. The sickest I have ever been in my 32 years was when my mother drag me to this parade and we froze our rears off for what seemed like to me 3 hours of pure boredom, I was 12 at the time. Then we had to to ride the city bus back to our car, another hour of fun. Cancel it for good, re name it I don't care but stop filling the streets with this crap and watch a real parade on TV. "
What next wrote on November 30, 2007 11:23 pm:
" This is the third time that this parade has put people in extreme danger. Why don't the planners of this event, look at earlier in November, or possibly October or why does this event even need to happen. This is putting a whole bunch of people at risk for something that is really not all that great. I have marched in many parades and cold weather doesn't bother me, but when you are talking about Ice and freezing rain that is totally not the same. Ice and freezing rain will cause many slips and falls as well as creating desparate traffic conditions. The supporters of this will not learn until someone or many someones are either mangled in an accident coming to the parade or falling on the ice and breaking a bone or worse yet a severe head injury. As to people saying that the older generation can or would do this, I am of the older generation and we never ever ventured out into weather when it was freezing rain and ice, we always took cover for our livestock and ourselves. We today feel invinsible and think nothing can happen, well it does. "
Alvo wrote on November 30, 2007 11:44 pm:
" I say next year move the parade to some time in October at the latest. I bet many more people would attend if the weather was nicer. Who wants to stand in one place and FREEZE to death to watch a parade? I certainly don't. "
Mark wrote on November 30, 2007 11:51 pm:
" GO DESHLER! "
a long-time parader wrote on December 1, 2007 12:37 am:
" As to the comments about an October or November parade -- do the words "Husker Football" mean anything to anyone? I bet the nightmare of trying to organize around football games is horrendous. And many cities DO run parades in the winter (Minneapolis and Denver to name two). Yes, weather and safety are issues, but so is the Christmas spirit. There are few, if any, free events offered to the public that aren't commercialized to the "nth" degree. I say, "God bless 'em everyone!" Be safe. "
Bah humbug??? wrote on December 1, 2007 1:14 am:
" Gees, who put coal in all of your stockings early this year? "
Band mom wrote on December 1, 2007 4:48 am:
" Thank you LPS for pulling out of the parade for safety's sake. Besides generally, it's hard to play when instruments are frozen anyway. And as much as I enjoy band concerts, I have no desire to stand outside & freeze to watch them play. Thanks parade organizers for all that you do but can't you please change the time of when the parade occurs? Does it have to be Dec.? Can it be moved to Nov.? I realize that it wouldn't be a total guarantee that bad weather wouldn't happen but I think the percentage of it happening would be a lot lower. Just something to consider. "
connie wrote on December 1, 2007 5:24 am:
" What a shame! As a mother of an LPS student, I can tell you that they NEVER cancel school. During the past few winters, watching the school closings, I've noticed that often, Lincoln schools were the ONLY schools open in the area many times. Now they decide to not show at the parade??? That seems very hypocritical to me. I agree though, it's a good thing our ancestors weren't this prissy. Kudos to the intrepid Deshler band! You have my admiration. I would also like to point out that district theater competition is today as well. The lps kids are going to that. They leave at seven. No publicity though, so they still get to go! "
BBG wrote on December 1, 2007 6:47 am:
" Pretty amazing that Deshler won't pull out even though it was their baton twirler who lost a toe to frost bite in 2005. C'mon people! I am very thankful that LPS made the decision early. The repair bill on my son's tuba alone would have cost me $150. "
ny vote is for wrote on December 1, 2007 8:21 am:
" An October parade as well, some sort of fall festival, the weather is not too hot, not too cold (usually) maybe if enough people ask, it will happen??? My kids love watching the parade but they hate the cold and are usually upset because they want to watch it all but are too cold and start asking to go home before it is even half over, this happens every year! My son who marches in a band says when it is really cold, it is very painful because they have to keep to uniform, they can't put on ear muffs and warm gloves. "
Russ A wrote on December 1, 2007 8:56 am:
" it is a Christmas parade not a fall parade thats why its held in December and why it should stay in December those wanting a fair weather fall harvest parade go to grand island or start up another parade here in Lincoln do not try to change what is into something you want 5 "
It's a Shame wrote on December 1, 2007 9:13 am:
" Contrary to some of the negative posters, me amd my family LOVE the parade and make it a family tradition. In fact, I take vacation time from work to attend the parade. It's disappointing that the parade will not go on as scheduled today, we are just hopeful it will be rescheduled to next Saturday. Two years ago it snowed during the parade, it was absolutely beautiful!!! KUDOS to parade planners and all involved, we love the parade and hate to see it changed or stopped. "
keep it in dec wrote on December 1, 2007 11:18 am:
" i enjoy going to the parade in Dec. and so must a lot of others because it is always packed along the parade route, I suggest as someone else posted those wanting a parade in warmer weather start something up of their own as for the holiday parade leave it where its at in Dec. the snowfall during the the parade two years ago was a beautiful thing i wish we could arrange a snow like that one for each holiday parade to those in charge keep up the good work and keep the parade in Dec. faithful parade goer "
D.A. wrote on December 1, 2007 4:01 pm:
" What a bunch of weather whimps.....a Holiday parade should be in December....we live in the northern hemisphere, it is late fall, its supposed to be this way! The parade director made the right call today (only because of the ice, it kept traffic off the streets)...my point is what a bunch of whimps so many of you are by complaining that its cold and that you want the event moved to another onth...good grief - accept mother nature! In schools these days many administrators don't even let kids play outside at recess if its below 15 degrees....fresh air and cold weather never hurt anyone when prepared for such conditions. In the 23 years of the parade I'll bet that the temperatures have been above 35 degrees with fair skies and no precipitation on at least 15 or 16 dates. Keep this great event on the first Saturday in December. "
joker wrote on December 1, 2007 4:03 pm:
" I wonder who's the bright light bulb that woke up 23 years ago and said "I KNOW!!!! Let's have a PARADE in the middle of WINTER!" "

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