4th of July Parade Was a Community Effort

In order to have a tradition, one has to actually start it. It is the belief of the Moorestown July 4th Parade Committee that the parade everyone saw or participated in on July 4, 2011, became the start of that tradition. The committee also would like to thank the Moorestown Business Association for agreeing to support this event this year. That support has proven to be a blessing toward making it the success that it has turned out to be.

The people have dug into their pocket books to help pay the cost of putting on this worthy event. The police officers are required to be at the street closures for the protection of participants as well as spectators. Marching bands cost money. Horses cost money. Fuel costs money. Insurance coverage costs money. And on it goes. So, just like running a business, there are expenses that need to exist to put on a quality show.

Fortunately, companies like Virtua wrote the book on "being a good neighbor, doing the right thing" when it comes to offering financial support for this event. They paid for the Polish American String Band that you saw on Monday. Now that's what makes that company a special group in town, and they're not even in town yet as they just broke ground last Wednesday!

Further, many folks donated their time, talent, and funds to create wonderful floats, depicting a whole range of subjects from historical themes to leisure activities. After all, freedom means many things including being able to ride a dirt bike, owning a custom car, eating water ice, etc. We can do all these things and more without the fear of road-side bombs or the secret police taking us away. We live in America and all of us enjoy the bounty and security that that name brings forth.

So, it is fitting that we celebrate the birth of America. The parade on July 4th is a great way to do that. So thanks to the spectators who took time to come out and stake out their territory along the parade route to observe the results of the committee's toil. It was a nice parade and the audience responded wonderfully.

If you like what we did this year, please donate you dollars so we can improve on it for next year. Go to the MBA's website and make a donation. Remember, a tradition is on-going, not a one-time happening. See you next year!

CAN DO!

Dave Schill
Chairman, Moorestown's July 4th Parade Committee