SCC still looking to pass parade baton

Future of July 4 up in air, as Community Center readies for final march|

While Sonomans are readying to fire up the barbecues and find a nice shady spot on the Plaza for the big Fourth of July parade next Monday, the Sonoma Community Center has yet to find a local organization willing to take the reins for producing the beloved event after 2016.

In March, the Community Center board of directors announced that this would be the SCC’s final year running the parade – citing the growing scope and complexity in producing an event that draws thousands to the downtown for a day of floats, patriotism, hot dogs and Bloody Marys – not necessarily in that order.

“The parade has become a nationally recognized event with more than 10,000 attendees,” outgoing Community Center Executive Director Toni Castrone said then. “It takes an enormous amount of resources to manage, and the liability has increased beyond our comfort level.”

Board members had hoped to identify a potential new organizing entity and make 2016 a baton-passing year for the parade. And Sonoma Mayor Laurie Gallian added at the time that, “We must all work together in finding a new leader for this hallmark event… The City looks forward to supporting the new parade leadership group.”

That support may have to wait a bit longer. According to Castrone, no one’s stepped forward to take on the parade on an ongoing basis.

Castrone said that she has heard of some interest from groups in taking over the event for next year, “but for now, in light of the leadership transition at the Center and the effort to plan this year’s event, the board has tabled the topic until later in the summer.”

Community Center officials announced last month the hiring of new executive director John Tamiazzo, who will begin July 20. Tamiazzo will replace Castrone, who is leaving to pursue a master’s degree.

“When the discussion picks back up, the board of directors and incoming executive director will continue to explore every available avenue for keeping the parade marching into the future for the benefit of this community,” said Castrone.

SCC officials have also said that this year’s change in the Community Fund Grant program has made staging the parade less financially tenable for the nonprofit.

The new policy limits City grants to $25,000 and nonprofits are only eligible for two years in a row. The year, the Community Center received the $25,000 grant maximum; last year, according to a city report, the SCC received $43,000 in grants.

The theme for next week’s 53rd annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Celebration, is “Jack London – Our Sailor on Horseback.”

Castrone explained the choice of theme by noting, “In addition to being one of America’s great authors, Jack was an animal lover, an avid sailor, an early ecologist, a strong advocate for women, a great photographer, a journalist, a scientific farmer, a self-made man and a political activist. As far as themes go, there’s something here for everyone!”

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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