The city of Sweet Home approved two Christmas parade permits for Dec. 4.
“They are within 30 minutes of each other,” said City Manager Craig Martin. “As it stands now, subject to change, the events or activities will start at 5 p.m. with parade activity organized by the parade committee.”
Immediately following that parade, at 5:30 p.m., the parade organized by the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center will begin.
“We can essentially accommodate both requests without additional costs, staffing or that sort of thing,” Martin said. “Our role is not to pick who, but to make sure that the requests comply with city requirements.”
According to city ordinance, permits may be granted for parades that are not held for any unlawful purpose and will not breach the peace, cause damage or interfere with public use of the streets.
The streets will be closed from about 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the latest, Martin said.
Sgt. Jason VanEck met with Susan Olson, of the parade committee, on Sept. 24, according to a report from the Sweet Home Police Department. They discussed parade details and responsibilities of parade marshals. The report states that Olson said there are four to six volunteers for the parade.
VanEck also met with chamber director Katrina Crabtree on Sept. 24 and covered the same information. Crabtree said the chamber has 25 volunteers to help the day of the parade.
“After looking over this permit I see no reason to deny the parade request other than the time conflict with the other permit application,” VanEck said in the report.