[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49819.73

Kiddie Parade Is Saturday

From Staff Reports

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Summer Festival's Kiddie Parade is Saturday, June 21. The lineup begins at 10:15 a.m. in Washington Park and judging begins at 10:30 a.m. The parade starts at 11 a.m.

Participation is for children 12 years and under. The 2008 theme is "Kids on Parade." Only those entrants following the parade theme will be judged and eligible for prizes, but all children are welcome to participate.

Judging will be in the following categories:

• Costumed individual 0-5 years old.

• Costumed individual 6-12 years old.

• Decorated wagon, decorated bike or tricycle 6-12 years old.

• Family 0 to 12 years old.

• Organized group, school or day-care (less than 15 members).

• Organized group school or day-care (more than 15 members).

• Neighborhood group.

• Summer playground program or day camp group.

No motorized or battery operated vehicles are allowed in this parade.

Registration is free. Those wishing to pre-register can pick up registration forms at the Michigan City Park Office, Mayor's Office, Michigan City Public Library, BP Station at Franklin and Detroit streets or the Trail Creek Town Hall.

At the conclusion of the parade, trophies and ribbons will be presented and everyone is encouraged to participate in other planned activities.

[Dave]

Is this parade going to be entirely in Washington Park?

I might walk over to Franklin to watch the parade, but I don't think I'd bother to get in thte car and drive to WP for this. I'd be surprised if there are many people other than the kids marching in the parade and their parents attending.

Doesn't the Parks Department have some cockamamie scheme in the works to move most, if not all, of the parades from Franklin street to WP?

[JHeath]

Not sure, but I visited emichigancity.com...no info there. I've also made a call to the number listed for more info to no avail....not even a voice mailbox or a machine.

I sure hope not, because I don't intend to pay for parking just to see this parade (since I'm not a resident of MC proper). It's one of my kids' favorite events, too.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Moving the parades to Washington Park?? Have they gone plum loco??????

[Ang]

Maybe it's so they can generate more revenue from parking fees to help build the new Baywatch HQ. Or maybe we should call it Lakewatch HQ

[JHeath]

I'm still looking for the answer (maybe this should have been my MC Quiz question?).
From emichigancity.com, I found this:

June 21
Kiddie Parade
Line-up is at 10AM; parade is at 11AM. Contact Summer Fest at 874-3630 for more information.

Called the number provided again today; still no answer.

[Roger Kaputnik]

I called at 1224 cdt, no answer.

[Dave]

Did anyone go? Where was it?

[Roger Kaputnik]

Dunno, didn't go.

[Dave]

Not sure, but I visited emichigancity.com...no info there. I've also made a call to the number listed for more info to no avail....not even a voice mailbox or a machine.

I sure hope not, because I don't intend to pay for parking just to see this parade (since I'm not a resident of MC proper). It's one of my kids' favorite events, too.

So, did you go? Where was it?

[JHeath]

So, did you go? Where was it?

Nope. I couldn't find a contact person, so I didn't go.
I wonder how many people did actually attend, and where it was held.

[Dave]

There's a picture of one of the marchers in today's N-D, but I didn't see an article. The caption says the parade was on Lake Shore Drive.

[JHeath]

There's a picture of one of the marchers in today's N-D, but I didn't see an article. The caption says the parade was on Lake Shore Drive.

Would have been good info to have had before the parade was held. Well...maybe next year.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=31880.56

Move Kiddie Parade To Franklin
I congratulate all the kids who put their heart and soul into marching in the Kiddie Parade.

Too bad all the people sitting along Franklin Street didn't get to see them.

For many years that parade went down Franklin Street to Ames Field and Stew McDonnell would hand out trophies and other awards. It really was a big deal for the kids, mine included.

Then they had to switch to Washington Street because of the Franklin Square mess. They still could have come from the Library down to Ames Field even though it's a one-way. If it's not broke, why fix it?

This town will never grow so long as Franklin Street is shut off from the park and beach.

Anyway, I'm sure the 15 or 20 people that did get to see the parade were very proud of their kids.

Hope they change it back next year so everyone will see them.

Carol Beason

Michigan City

[Roger Kaputnik]

They DID go plum loco. From 11th to Ames is nearly one mile. Is that enough for a Kiddie Parade?