Story posted Thursday, June 11, 2009
July 4th Parade Back In The Fold
The Wheeling Fourth of July parade is back on schedule.
The parade was one of several events cancelled as the village tried to control its budgetary expenditures. Last December, the board cancelled most of the Freedom Fest celebration, including food vendors and live bands. It kept the fireworks display, still scheduled for Heritage Park at 9:15 p.m. The entire celebration cost between $225,000 and $250,000.
"This will be much more of a picnic in the park," explained Village Manager Mark Rooney. "An old fashioned parade; watch the parade and the fireworks in the park."
Rooney said local businesses are pledging money for parade costs, mostly overtime pay for police officers and public works employees. The parade will still cost the village about $12,000.
The parade will also be later in the day, beginning at 7:30.
"It will finish by 8, 8:15," Rooney said, "with the fireworks to follow."
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