Northside's Fourth of July Parade, a tradition over a century old, is in financial trouble, and parade organizers are asking community members for contributions to make sure it happens again next year.
According to the event's GoFundMe page, costs for things like police, road barriers, printing, advertising, and permits increase each year, and this year, the Northside Community Council hopes Cincinnati residents can contribute $2,500 to help the neighborhood afford them in 2017.
"Some of our costs are covered by parade fees - mostly from politicians, because we don't charge for residents to be in it," wrote James Heller-Jackson on the event page. Political candidates who wish to appear in the parade must pay $150 for the privilege.
Contributions from politicians have become less reliable, however, since Cincinnati City Council switched to four-year terms, meaning that incumbent and hopeful council members do not have to campaign as often as they did in years before, according to Heller-Jackson.
Other parade fees include a $10 charge for vehicles and $35 for business groups, and the event does receive some grant funding from the city, but this isn't enough to guarantee that next year's parade will happen, according to the event page.
As of 6 p.m. Friday, 23 donations had raised $1,076 of the total goal.
"Definitely the best parade!" wrote one donor. "Thanks for all you do."
This year's Northside Fourth of July Parade will begin July 4 at noon.
