Chamber Request
Is Explained

Each summer Randolph plays host to the largest Fourth of July parade and celebration in the White River Valley organized by the Randolph Area Chamber of Commerce. This is a much-anticipated event, which draws approximately 5000 spectators to the community. The visibility of the town and economic impact for many retail and service businesses is great.  This is an event that allows Randolph and the wider region to shine and show its hospitality at its best.  

In recent years, the Chamber has experienced a significant increase in some of the expenses related to these activities, particularly with hiring the necessary traffic/crowd control, parade entertainment (major bands) and many other services that ensure this event is a safe, fun and successful event for all.

Expenses directly associated with the parade and celebration ran $3307 in 2001 compared to $4482 in 2006, an increase of $1175. The traffic/crowd control portion climbed from $560 in 2001 to $1011 in 2006. Hired parade entertainment has run anywhere from $1350 to $1850 in any given year and sponsorships for that has run the same. Finding sponsors is difficult. We’d like not to keep going back to the same businesses and requesting year after year.

The Fourth of July parade itself is not a fundraiser. We charge no fees for parade entries, which makes it favorable for businesses and organizations to participate. Many of them already lay out good money to decorate their floats. Charging a fee would eliminate some from participating.

We cut some costs by eliminating cash prizes, which had been awarded for first, second and third place in the business, civic and youth categories totaling $285. Although this wasn’t a huge expense, we have found other cost effective ways to recognize the entries that stand out among the rest.

Also, last year, we sent a letter of appeal to constables from the surrounding towns to donate their safety patrol services for half a day. Only one from Bethel responded that he would, which was not adequate. Consequently, we had to do the usual and hire the services.

There are a few alternatives we could consider: 1) We discontinue the parade, but then a long-time tradition will die and everyone will go to a town that has a parade and throw their money to support those businesses. The economic impact for Randolph would not be favorable and we would lose an important part of what gives Randolph its well-deserved sense of community. 2) A small fee for participants could be charged, shifting more of the cost to the businesses. Then we’d have less of a show, which might be better than nothing at all. 3) We could do business as usual, asking for sponsorships. Again, the businesses would continue to bear a significant portion of the cost for this event. 4) Or we could get support by the way of an appropriation for just a portion of the cost. Then the event will continue in the fashion that we have grown accustomed to knowing, with the possibility of it becoming even better.

Therefore, we respectfully ask the Randolph voters to vote "yes" March 6 on Article #16 in support of an appropriation of $2500 toward the Randolph Fourth of July Parade and Celebration.

Randolph Area

Chamber of Commerce