Towson Parade Makes Final Push for Donations

With just a month and some change to go until the , organizers are looking for some change to help make the parade happen.

Spare change, that is.

Jackie Simms, program coordinator for the parade committee, says the committee is "in sight" of the $30,000 price tag for the annual parade (she declined to say exactly how close the committee was). That money covers everything from permits to the marching and pipe bands that join in the parade.

"We get no government help whatsoever, financially, and we depend totally on contributions from area businesses and individuals," said Simms, a Baldwin resident. "This is my 24th parade and it has grown concurrently with what's going on economically, and the bands we used to pay $44 for, we're now paying $1,400 for."

The parade committee hosts just two fundraising events each year and more than half of its money comes from individual donations, Simms said. That includes the "Bucket Brigade"—a group of parade volunteers that ask for small donations along the parade route.

"If (attendees) each gave a dollar we wouldn't have any problem, but we dont get anywhere near that much," Simms said.

Simms said the entire parade is run with only about 20 volunteers.

"We try to ask for 50, we're lucky to have 20. ... Just to think about that, it's not even organized chaos, but we've been doing it so long that it's second nature," she said. "When 10:30 comes and the flags go up and the military takes off and the band starts to play it's just such an American event. It's our country's birthday and there's nothing else like it."

The parade is seeking both corporate sponsors and small donors. To contribute, click the donate button on the parade's website or send a check to Towson Area Fourth of July Parade Committee, P.O. Box 5418, Towson, MD 21285-54189. Donations are tax-deductible.