CULLMAN, Ala. – Not only will Cullman County get to hold its annual fair this year, but the City of Cullman will also hold its annual fair parade! The Cullman City Council voted Monday evening to approve the Cullman Lions Club’s request for an event permit to hold the parade Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.
Lions Club President Javon Daniel told The Tribune, “The Lions Club is very, very excited, under the circumstance that we’ve been going through this year, to have the parade. We’re excited that people will be able to come out and enjoy the parade as they have for many, many, many years. We’re thankful that the city council and the mayor and the departments involved saw how important this is to Cullman, Cullman County and the citizens of Cullman. We’re just very happy!”
The parade permit came with one provision mentioned by the police, fire and parks and recreation departments: the parade must comply with current COVID-19 safety restrictions. One thing that is off the table: folks sticking their hands in big sacks full of candy and throwing things out on the ground to be picked up, handled and eaten by kids.
A fair parade with no candy? According to Daniel, fair and parade coordinators were fully prepared to go ahead without the sweets and treats in order to be able to hold the parade.
That’s where Cullman City Hall and The Cullman Tribune stepped in. In a partnership between the City and The Tribune, a “Candy Brigade” will travel the route ahead of the parade, passing out prepackaged (by gloved, masked and sanitized volunteers) bags of candy to children, helping maintain a healthy environment, a legally-compliant event and a little extra safety for kids who have in the past sometimes been tempted to run out into parade traffic to retrieve candy from the street.
Daniel said, “We had decided this year- the fair parade committee who is chaired by Steve Murphree and the other members- that we would not let people pass out candy or throw candy from the vehicles, just because of the COVID issue, for the safety. And this was welcome news. My understanding was the mayor said, ‘What’s a parade without candy?’
“So I agree with that, and it’s very refreshing to see that there’s a partnership between the City and The Tribune to make sure that the kids will have their candy from the parade this year.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said of the parade, “We’re going to try to have a safe one, and feel like, with the City partnering on the candy, the kids will still get that and we’ll do it in a safe manner.”
Participants in the main parade itself will be instructed by event coordinators not to throw or distribute candy from vehicles or floats in the parade, both because of COVID restrictions and to prevent dangers resulting from children running out into the street to pick up candy.
“It’s just not a practical thing to do,” said Daniel. “I’m excited that the City of Cullman and The Cullman Tribune are going to do this, so we can have a traditional parade, in the sense that people will be able to see it, but that’s just another way for us to try to keep the public safe, and the participants.”
Tribune Publisher Noah Galilee said, “It’s important to actually give back to your community and not just talk about it. Roughly six weeks ago I began to make back-up plans for fall festivals and other events that could be canceled due to restrictions associated with COVID, and the fair parade was at the top of the list. We have so many residents bringing their children, grandchildren and in some cases great-great-grandchildren to enjoy Cullman’s largest parade that to deny all those children of candy would have been cruel.
“When children think about parades they typically think about candy and police cars/fire engines. So with the help of the City of Cullman and Mayor Woody Jacobs, The Cullman Tribune – along with volunteers – will be leading the first-ever Candy Brigade prior to the fair parade.
“We are honored to have the City stepping up to help aide in this event and we hope all who attend enjoy their bags of candy!
“We will be handing out bags of candy to each child along the parade route. We ask that when you see us approaching you allow the children to move up front so we can pass out all the candy as quickly as possible so everyone can enjoy the fair parade.
“Again, thank you Mayor Jacobs, the City of Cullman and the Lions Club for allowing the public an opportunity at a normal parade during these trying times.”
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