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Star City Parade rescheduled for Saturday

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By Cory Matteson / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Dec 03, 2007 - 07:05:02 pm CST

Even her answering machine rejoiced.

“We’re happy to report the Star City Holiday Parade is on,” began a chipper message from Deb Johnson, executive director of the parade, Monday.

Forgive her for not picking up the phone. There’s quite a bit of rescheduling to do.

Story Photo
Santa Claus' ride for the Star City Holiday sits covered in plastic Saturday as Emily Head scrapes ice from her car windows. The Santa float was parked at the parade's staging area on 10th and P Streets. (Ted Kirk)

Floats? Check.

Sponsors? Check.

TV coverage? Check.

Balloons? Check.

Helium? Check.

Funds and volunteers? Getting there.

Canceled for the first time in its 23-year history due to icy weather, the parade’s back on for now, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. Credit that, she said, to so many people promising to help out for an additional week.

“I think it is a testimony to how much people love the Star City Holiday Parade,” Johnson said.

“In short, too many people have worked too hard to give up now,” Mayor Chris Beutler said in a news release. “And too many kids of all ages have been looking forward to the parade.”

The kids, somewhat miraculously, still will get their balloons.

“We got very lucky,” Johnson said. “Our parade weekend, Dec. 1, is the busiest holiday parade weekend in the country.”

The following weekend isn’t, so the balloons weren’t booked for any Dec. 8 engagements. Clifford, Elmo, the Grinch and others will take to O Street after all — at no additional charge.

The balloon companies, she said, have been “very philanthropic.”

As for other entries, including marching bands, organizers are waiting for answers.

Of course, a big concern persists. A big, frosty one.

If the little National Weather Service graphic on the Web site’s seven-day forecast Monday is any indication, Lincoln on Friday night will transform into an ice cave.

There’s another chance of freezing drizzle predicted, along with an overnight low of 23 degrees. The Saturday forecast calls for partly sunny skies, with a high near 38.

Like last week, Johnson said, she’s hoping for the best.

In winter parade terms, that means no ice and low winds.

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


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Curious wrote on December 3, 2007 2:38 pm:
" Just wondering if it would not be better to host such a parade in early November when it is less likely to have bad/cold weather. If I recall correctly, last year's parade had to deal with snow and ice too. This caused some bands to not come then either. By having it in early November, you can still call it the "Holiday Parade". Just better chance for better/warmer weather. "

 To Curios: wrote on December 3, 2007 3:45 pm:
" You don't recall correctly. Last year's parade did not have problems with snow and ice. And considering that this is the first time in 23 years that they cancelled, I agree with the current timing. "

 JJ wrote on December 3, 2007 3:56 pm:
" The point of the parade is to bring shoppers to the city during the shopping season. The shopping "season" begins after Thanksgiving. Therefore, having the parade earlier is not really an option when considering the reason for the event. "

 Bah Humbug wrote on December 3, 2007 4:09 pm:
" Why is it that the mayor and the parade organizers feel necessary to reschedule this parade? How many places made plans around the parade date now to have to reschedule with very short notice? This just doesn't affect those that "Worked so hard to make this happen", it affects everyone in Lincoln and in this case, I think it is going to be in a negative way. I know of several events that are going on this weekend that were scheduled because it wasn't the parade date and now those people are scrambling to try and make things work. Sorry to be bah humbug, but this time of year is far to busy to have to reschedule the entire city for a one hour parade. Move this thing to June where all you have to do is worry about rain. "

 Got it. wrote on December 3, 2007 4:11 pm:
" People think the parade should be earlier in the year. Kinda defeats the purpose of a "holiday parade" to have it in October, doesn't it? Despite what the radio stations and mall vendors say, it's not the holiday season in October, or even early November. "

 anyone look outside today? wrote on December 3, 2007 4:18 pm:
" It's 45 degrees out. This is two days after the parade was supposed to be held. they got unlucky this year. doesn't mean they need to put the thing in july. good grief, people, get a grip. "

 Harvey wrote on December 3, 2007 4:30 pm:
" I think the parade should be postponed 'til 2015 and moved to Kearney or Grand Island. "

 Nina wrote on December 3, 2007 4:51 pm:
" Good luck. Originally, participants had weeks or months to prepare their schedules to make a space for this parade. Now they have less than a week to redo - some will undoubtedly be unable to reschedule. Hoping that setting aside yet another Saturday does not make grinches of your elves. "

 KH wrote on December 3, 2007 4:55 pm:
" Yay! I'm happy that for some people, the parade can go on. For others, well, they won't be able to attend this year. The decision to postpone was good, and the decision to forge ahead is also good. And to those weather naysayers -- I noticed on the Weather Channel that in 1995 the high for Dec. 1 was 78 degrees. So it's NOT like there is crummy weather. Denver had its big holiday parade Saturday night and it went off beautifully. And they have a big holiday parade and festival in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January. So some people are not the weather wimpies that Lincolnites appear to have turned into. Oh, and BTW, I cannot tell you how much complaining I used to hear about July Jamm being TOO HOT. So buck up people. If we let the weather terrorists win, then, well, we've lost. (sarcasm) "

 WooHoo wrote on December 3, 2007 7:09 pm:
" Yipee, the parade must go on!!! Thank you Deb Johnson,Mayor Buetler, and all who made it possible to still have the parade. I know my family and I are looking forward to attending. It's a family tradition to attend the parade. Please don't change the date of the parade, it's the perfect time of the year to have parade. "

 Holiday Spirit wrote on December 3, 2007 7:19 pm:
" I love the parade. We go every year. It's called a Holiday Parade and we live in Ne, the weather could be cold, snowy or icy. My kids are very excited that it is rescheduled. We have been to the Holly Dazzle Parade in Minnepolis where it is very cold and this parade is much better. The people in Minnepolis don't complain, they embrace it and the tourism dollars it brings. It's the holidays, enjoy all the different events people in the city puts on for us. "

 jen wrote on December 3, 2007 7:44 pm:
" well it's kinda disappointing because i know one of the LPS bands had to bow out because too many kids were goign to be gone taking the ACT. "

 Cole wrote on December 3, 2007 8:51 pm:
" 'Holiday' or not, December is no time to schedule a parade. Bring up all the stats you want, but the first Saturday in December is simply much more likely than not to have cold, bitter, unsafe weather. Every year the city and everyone involved roll the dice on the weather for this and for what? Commerce? Does the increased tax revenue from sales begin to pay for extra police and other special services that day? Suggestion - have it much earlier in the fall and tie it in with that marching festival they have over at Seacrest. Many more bands, many more people in town to watch the many more students in the many more bands, a better parade and probably much better weather. Then those bands could go about the business of getting ready for their local holiday concerts instead of marching in the cold for another month. Grand Island has it down to a science. Lincoln should give it a try. "

 What next wrote on December 3, 2007 9:46 pm:
" Have your parade, when people are tired of this type of thing it to will pass. Hope you have a crowd of people. Hope the crowd of people love the parade. Hope your parade makes for having another and then another. Better yet, why don't you have one in January during a real blizzard. That would be kinda neat. Seeing all the frozen people. Then they could go shopping and warm up. Wow. I give up, this thing is like the 2015 idea, it just keeps on popping up. Hope they both go through and both become habits. I will be long gone from this place and when the snow starts flying in early october like it did in the late 60s and 70s then maybe some common sense will come out. Wow. "

 Time for Change wrote on December 3, 2007 10:05 pm:
" I still don't understand why they just don't change the date. I really think to avoid bitter weather to have the parade the Saturday before or immediately following Thanksgiving would be good. Think about it Parade Committee. "

 jimmy CHAP the MAN wrote on December 3, 2007 11:29 pm:
" the parade belongs just where it is first sat in Dec. no reason to move it if you do not like attending because of the weather stay home its that simple. To try and change everything about it goes against what it stands for. I for one enjoy the chill in the air for the parade, and especially enjoyed the festive snow fall during the parade in 05. Keep up the good work parade organizers. "

 jimmy CHAP the MAN wrote on December 3, 2007 11:30 pm:
" i would like to see a gay/lesbian parade sometime in the spring would there be any support for such a thing in Lincoln??? just wondering how one would get it off the ground? "

 Just a thought..... wrote on December 4, 2007 5:55 am:
" To try and bring people downtown in a futile attempt at trying to stir up business is a total waste of time this time of year. Aren't there better times of the year when a parade would be more readily acceptable??? Like the Fourth of July. On that date there are already people making plans for the fireworks show. Seems like that would be a better date than what they have now. Personally, I would rather stay at home and watch this parade on the T.V. and enjoy my cup of hot chocolate OUT of the never-ending wind. "

 And again..... wrote on December 4, 2007 6:21 am:
" What a total joke this years parade will be. No high school bands???? How long will the parade take to pass???? About five minutes. I certainly won't be wasting MY time going downtown...fighting for parking...and then freezing my butt off and paying for over-priced coffee "

 Emily wrote on December 4, 2007 6:36 am:
" I suspect most of the people complaining and lobbying to change the parade don't go in the first place - and probably wouldn't if it were changed. We love the parade just the way it is and wouldn't change a thing - and we go EVERY year!! Kudos to the parade staff and all those who work to make it a fun tradition!! "

 Julie wrote on December 4, 2007 7:34 am:
" I know for a FACT last year during the parade the weather was cold and windy. I remember this well as my daughters wanted to attend and one had been sick and it was just too cold for me to take her out in it. When you have a weekend that remains a high probability of bad weather, you will have problems with this. Face it...there are weekends out there like that, in which most years there is cold or bad weather. It isn't just in the winter. And yes, we live in Nebraska, and this IS a holiday parade. We can all hope for a light warm snowfall for atmosphere...but I doubt it will ever happen. Get over it people. Go to the parade this Saturday and enjoy the fact that your city even bothers doing such a thing! It is all for you the people, not just for the city uppities.... "

 Lola 2 wrote on December 4, 2007 7:46 am:
" It's a parade people... who cares! "

 A mom wrote on December 4, 2007 8:56 am:
" I think the idea of the Star City HOLIDAY Parade is that is geared towards the children of our city (and the surrounding communities). It's a holiday parade - Santa is the Star Guest. Even though it's cold in December, it's the perfect time of the year for a holiday parade. We have gone to the parade for the last 5 years. It's been cold, it's been snowy, and it's also been warm. Bundle your kids and yourself up and go see the parade. Last year, my son wrote his Santa letter for the first time by himself. He waited patiently for the US Postal workers to come down the street. The moment he saw them, he started waving his letter high over his head so it would get to Santa. I wouldn't have missed that moment for anything. And this year, he is just as excited to deliver his letter. He was so disappointed last Saturday morning, but he is very excited that he has another chance to deliver his letter himself. "

 Nikki wrote on December 4, 2007 10:34 am:
" Come one people, these negative comments are the work of what... 10? 15? residents in Lincoln. I am sure the same 10 - 15 people who write negative comments about everything else that goes on in Lincoln. Ignore them. Some people are so miserable with their own lives, they have to try to get things like parades cancelled so everyone else can be miserable too! "

 Downtown shopping mecca wrote on December 4, 2007 10:36 am:
" The parade doesn't "open" the holiday season. That's already been done by the stores in Aug. As for going downtown to see the parade, I can stay home & watch it on TV without the hassles of freezing & fighting for parking. Outside of the parade & it's related activities, what is there to do in downtown Lincoln? Let's see. . . there are bars, eating places, & offices lining the parade route. In the 6 years that I've lived in Lincoln, I've only shopped in downtown Lincoln twice. I think Southpointe & Westfield Malls have wonderful, Christmas opening celebrations without the hassle of a parade. Another point that I'm against having the parade in Dec. is because of the timing. As the parent of a teenager in band, we're busy with concerts, sports, church activities & the ACT. If the parade was held earlier in the year like Nov., there'd be less schedule conflicts. "

 Parade Drama wrote on December 4, 2007 12:03 pm:
" Surprise, winter is cold. Surprise, summer is hot. And its Nebraska, so soemtimes winter is hot and summer is cold. Trying to outguess the weather is like trying to get oil from the faucet. Ain't gonna happen. And BAH! to the boo-hooers. I have been in the parade as a Nutcracker dancer and as a DARE kid. All three years were unbelievabley cold but I had fun and wouldn't want to take that pride away from any other kid. Put on your big coat, mittens, scarves, and hat and HAVE FUN! AND BTW I would love to see a GBLA Parade. I am straight, but have many GBL friends. Too bad we live in Lincoln! "

 Jen wrote on December 4, 2007 1:19 pm:
" I second Lola - it's just a parade. My god, people, where have your senses gone? Must have been lost in all that Black Friday commotion... "

 What about.... wrote on December 4, 2007 2:49 pm:
" yes a gay and lesbian parade sounds like a great idea! Then the next week we could have a heterosexual parade, then a swingers parade, then a black parade, then an asian parade, then a mexican parade, then a french parade, then a vegitarian parade. I thought the point was to peacefully co-exist letting each to his/her own, not flaunt life choices/genetic traits (which ever side you believe). I fail to see the relavence of such an event directed toward something as personal as sexuality. Maybe I'm too ignorant or old fashioned or just don't care that much, but I just don't get it. "

 Waverly Student wrote on December 4, 2007 2:57 pm:
" I am glad the star city parade is still on! I went for the last 4 years ive lived here and would most deff. hate to ruin the tradition! Cant wait till saturday!!!!! "

 Get over it wrote on December 4, 2007 3:55 pm:
" The point of the parade is to bring people to celebrate Lincoln and the Holiday. If they tried to schedule it for a time that is convenient for everyone, it obviously would never happen. So what that it got rescheduled, if you can't make it, then go next year. I think people are making way to of deal out of this. Is people have so many complaints they should join the UpDowntowners and plan the event for themselves. "

 mark wrote on December 4, 2007 7:43 pm:
" All of the people who said they would be less busy in the fall are just kidding themselves. It is a easy excuse so they don't have to say it is "to cold". Fall is just as busy as there are Volleyball tourneys, band competion, husker football games & church activities get started again in the fall. This is a holiday parade if it was held in the fall you might as well call it "Columbus day parade" or "its to cold to have one in December or two hot to have one in July parade" There are WONDERFUL 4th of July & holiday parades you just need to pepare for the heat same for the cold. The HOLLIDAZZLE parade in Minneapolis is held EVERY Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There are plenty of skywalks and buildings to watch it from - I know I have been there. So if you don't like the weather don't spoil it for the people that enjoy it. "

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