Wednesday, July 9, 2003
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Wednesday, July 9, 2003 |
Parade deemed a successBy J. FRANK LYNCH
The verdict: "Very successful." Those two words from Leisure Services Director Randy Gaddo summed up the widespread sentiment following Friday's Fourth of July parade, which followed a brand new, untested route and featured Gov. Sonny Perdue as a co-grand marshal. "And it was a lot of fun," added Susan Taylor, who coordinates the parade for the recreation department. Gaddo said Monday he has heard zero negative comments from the community, though his staff will gather this week for an official "post mortem" session to identify areas of improvement for future parades. One issue of concern: Crowd control. Many of the estimated 15,000 spectators appeared to gather and then bunch up in two particular areas of the two-mile-long route up Peachtree Parkway South, while other stretches along the road featured just scattered observers. "I think what we saw is there were plenty of places for people to sit, but for whatever reason they didn't know about them," Gaddo said, pointing to the intersections of the parkway with Crosstown Road and McIntosh Trail as nearly impassable by parade marchers at some moments. "It was so thick that next year we're talking about putting up some kind of barriers," he said. "After the first military units made that turn onto McIntosh Trail, the crowds all moved in and the police really had their hands full from then on keeping people out of the street." It took the first units among the 2,000 parade participants about one hour, fifteen minutes to march the complete route, starting near Braelinn Golf Club and finishing at the amphitheater complex. From start to finish, the entire parade lasted about 2 1/2 hours, which is what Gaddo predicted. Police called the crowd the "best year they've ever seen" for the parade, reporting few if any problems. No problems were reported from the governor's camp as well, and only a smattering of homemade signs along the route addressed the golf cart operating issue, one that is out of Gov. Perdue's hands, anyway. "He had heard it was one of the best parades in the state, and that ruling has been confirmed by first experience," said Dan McLagan, director of communications in the governor's office. "He was amazed by the sheer magnitude and enthusiasm of the crowd." McLagan confirmed this visit wasn't the governor's first visit to Peachtree City or Fayette County, and it won't be his last. "The governor clearly felt welcome and will return as often as possible," he said. "He was very appreciative of the opportunity to be named co-grand marshal with the military personnel. He didn't ask for that, and he was honored." While confirming that Gov. Perdue has taken no position regarding the cart ruling, McLagan said the governor noticed a few signs in the crowd that were directed his way. "What could be a greater tribute to democracy, on the birthdate of democracy, then expressing your views along a parade route," he said. "It was a wonderful day."
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