The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Fair parade in the works
Rules keep spectators, participants safe
By Alison Marable, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: August 17, 2006
The Chelsea Fair parade, which generally consists of two hours of colorful floats, local service clubs and plenty of candy, requires a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts on behalf of a small group of local volunteers each year.
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Bill Paul and Kevin Van Orman, members of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority, and Steve Bergman and Keith O'Neil, retired members, are this year's main organizers. Bergman was the main organizer of the parade for many years.
"Without him, the parade never would have happened," said Van Orman.
Before the actual day of the parade, which will be held Aug. 26, organizers handle all the preliminary work, such as handing out permits, reviewing rules and answering questions. The morning of the parade, their day begins at about 5 a.m. as they tag certain streets as "no parking" zones and place signs directing participants where to go.
Members of the Chelsea Community Fair Board and the Fire Authority volunteers alternate years when choosing the parade marshals. This year, the fair board will make the final decision. But as of press time, none had been made.
The hours leading up to the 1 p.m. parade start time are busy with activity. Parade volunteers need to organize all participants, check paperwork and safety requirements, and judge floats so ribbons and prizes can be awarded.
Horses are staged on Park Street, between Main and East streets, between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. and owners must have proof of a negative Coggins test. Riders must keep their horses on the roadway and off lawns.
Other parade participants may begin staging at 10 a.m. and must be in line by noon. Members of school bands are to form in the alley of the Municipal Parking lot off of East Street. All farm machinery should line up on the east side of East Street from Park Street south, facing north.
All antique vehicles are to line up on the south side of Harrison Street, from East to Madison streets, facing west. All trucks and miscellaneous vehicles are to line up on East Street, from Park Street south, on the west side.
Fire trucks and emergency vehicles are to line up on the south side of Park Street, facing west, starting at East Street.
Larry Gaken, also a member of the Fire Authority, handles the float portion of the parade. A safety inspection will be conducted on all floats. The crew will inspect each float to confirm that guidelines have been met. If any violations are found, the safety crew can remove the float from the parade.
Floats begin staging around 10 a.m. and must be completed and in line by 11 a.m. to be considered for judging. Floats arriving after 11 a.m. will not be judged.
Prizes in both an adult and youth categories are awarded for first through fourth places. The premiums to be handed out are in $70, $55, $45 and $35 denominations.
Several rules are in place to keep both participants and spectators safe during the parade. Participants are asked not to leave their motorized vehicles or floats once in line. This maintains control of the vehicles and prohibits delays in judging or starting the parade.
Children eagerly anticipate the candy that is tossed each year.
"It's almost like trick or treat," said Van Orman.
To ensure safety, only candy without sticks is allowed and candy is to be thrown near the curb to avoid having children run into the road.
The parade this year will have all the favorite attractions, including horses, fire trucks, local children's groups, middle and high school bands, and vibrant floats. Among the most popular are restored antique and muscle cars.
"They bring back memories," Van Orman said.
The parade will begin promptly at 1 p.m. Aug. 26. It's tradition for the VFW Honor Guard to begin the parade with the Scout Color Guard following them. Van Orman will be among the firefighters bringing up the rear after what is expected to be a full two hours of local flair that ends near the fairgrounds at the corner of Old US-12 and Chelsea-Manchester Road.
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