Letters to the Editor: Kiwanis Calls for Parade Etiquette

Editor,

As the festivities of yet another fun filled July 4th become a recent memory, we would like to commend those who do the work behind all the events that we have living in this wonderful little Saratoga town. Many come farther distances to enjoy the patriotism, friendliness and relaxed time that Saratoga offers.

With that being said, the Kiwanis group has set up for its annual Bake Sale on the corner where our beloved Teense is set to officiate the parade as it turns the corner from Highway 130 to Bridge Avenue. This has been an easy gathering place for Teense to auction our goods and Bake Sale buyers to find us, but does cause some issues with traffic trying to leave after the parade that get help up there from street congestion. Next year, we will gladly move up into the parking area to help remedy this clogging traffic issue as it was recently brought to our attention by local police. Thank you, officers.

Being set up in the parking lot area these past years, it has become more apparent to us how the growing crowd around that corner is getting larger each year and therefore is a growing concern for parade participants to move around the corner as the crowds of parents with small children, and older children are walking right up to the candy throwers and drivers while making that turn.

Kiwanis is for kids young and old, which certainly means safety for all, and watching this has been a deep concern for us and some of the parade participants as they can’t see little ones in the bigger rigs and in the smaller floats. Kids and parents are walking right out in front, around and on each side of the parade entrants. It would be a tragedy if anyone got hurt over something so ridiculous as candy.

Kiwanis loves this community and supports its endeavors as they certainly have been wonderful supporting Kiwanis. Providing for the safety of children is a key goal of Kiwanis and we encourage everyone in the community to consider what you can do and then take action to ensure our children are safe during our community events. We would like to offer our support.

It’s pretty apparent that those who throw candy can more than cover a wide swath if given room to do so and plenty of sweet delights can be shared by all.

With warm regards,

Platte Valley Kiwanis