The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Police, fire departments to travel parade route
Police and Fire department vehicles will travel Mardi Gras parade route on July 1
The village’s Police and Fire department vehicles will travel Mardi Gras parade route on July 1.
Fairport Harbor Village has come up with an idea to stir up a patriotic mood among residents during the time slot when the Mardi Gras parade was slated to take place.
The village announced that vehicles from its Police and Fire departments will travel the Mardi Gras parade route, starting at 7 p.m. July 1.
That large-scale community parade typically kicks off the Fairport Mardi Gras festival, which won’t be held this year because of health and safety risks posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Timothy Manross is optimistic that village residents will line the procession route on July 1 to salute their safety forces and commemorate Independence Day.
“We hope you will join us in celebrating responsibly with your family, adhering to the guidelines of social distancing established by the various state regulations,” Manross said in a letter to residents posted on the village’s website.
Participating police and fire vehicles will follow the traditional Mardi Gras parade route: Starting on the east end of Third Street by the American Slovenian Club; Third Street to Vine Street; Vine Street to Seventh Street; Seventh Street to Eagle Street; and Eagle Street to Village Hall on Third Street, where the event concludes.
Normally, village residents would be gearing up at this time of year for the Fairport Mardi Gras, an event that draws tens of thousands of people to the community over five days for rides, games, food, entertainment and a fireworks display.
This year, however, the Fairport Mardi Gras Committee decided in early April to cancel the celebration, as COVID-19 began to cast a widening shadow over the state of Ohio.
Fairport Mardi Gras would have marked its 79th year in 2020. The event had been scheduled for July 1-5.
On July 1, village police and fire vehicles will begin their procession at 7 p.m. — the same time that the annual parade usually kicks off.
Fairport Harbor Village also is sponsoring a Fourth of July House Decorating Contest as another program to help fill the void left by Mardi Gras.
Families are encouraged to decorate the outside of their homes in a way that displays patriotism and other ideals associated with Independence Day.
“The side of the house that is most visible from the street should be decorated,” Manross said. “That way, the judges will see displays without having to exit their vehicles and safe social distancing guidelines are maintained.”
Judging will take place July 2, and prizes will be awarded to the first-, secondand third-place winners. Contest results will be announced on the village’s website — fairportharbor. org — and Facebook page on July 3.
Residents can register for the event by emailing village Administrator Amy Cossick at acossick@fairportharbor.org or by calling Village Hall at 440352-3620. Each participant must provide the village with his or her name, address and phone number.
There is no charge to enter the contest, and registration deadline is June 26.
Fairport Mardi Gras would have marked its 79th year in 2020. The event had been scheduled for July 1-5.