Sean C. Morgan
The Sportsman’s Holiday Parade committee must raise $530 for insurance by the end of the month so that it can begun acquiring permits for the annual parade.
Past that, the committee must raise funds to pay for trophies and ribbons, said Chairwoman Sue Olson.
The parade, like other events formerly organized by the Chamber of Commerce, must be funded independently of the chamber, following a restructuring of the organization.
Planning for the parade is under way, Olson said. A logo is being designed, and the theme is set, “Destination: Summer Vacation.”
“It sort of covered everything everyone wanted,” Olson said about the theme. “We were getting so many suggestions, and we could fit everything into that theme.”
The committee is considering whom to select as grand marshal right now, she said.
The biggest hurdle at this point is raising cash to pay for a $2 million insurance policy, Olson said. “We have to raise, just for the insurance, $530 by the end of the month.”
The price is not out of line based on the coverage, Olson said. The committee has looked at policies that cost anywhere from $150 to $750, based on the amount of coverage.
With insurance covered, the committee can apply to the Oregon Department of Transportation and the city of Sweet Home for the permits necessary for the parade.
The committee is communicating with the public through its Facebook page under the name Sweet Home Oregon Parade Committee Group.
The committee will decide who will be grand marshal, but it will take into consideration input it receives through the Facebook site, which includes a poll, Olson said. She urges people go visit the page and vote.
People also are welcome to volunteer, Olson said, and several have stepped up so far through the Facebook page. Organizers will need volunteers to help with the lineup during the parade on July 14.
“The people that have stepped forward on Facebook saying they’re willing to help us is amazing,” she said.