Salem switches date of parade

By D.a. Wilkinson

SALEM — The city’s annual parade is going Italian.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is going to have its long-standing summer parade with the Italian Fest.

Audrey Null, executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday the change will improve the city’s annual parade.

The chamber has hosted a parade every summer for “well over 30 years,” Null added.

The parade has been called the Jubilee Parade, the Bicentennial Parade and, recently, the Grande Parade.

The 2008 parade had a problem, however.

Null said high school students had summer jobs, were on vacation or at band camp. Another problem was that the seniors had graduated, and the incoming freshmen hadn’t joined the school band.

Null said that “bringing in a drum and bugle corps can be very expensive.” The cost would have been about $4,000.

The result was a parade that was light on music and heavy on politicians seeking election, she added.

Null said two high school bands already have agreed to take part, and others will be invited.

Last year was the first year for the Salem Italian Festival. Maria Longo, owner of Green Rose Bistro, 148 Penn Ave., dreamed up the event, and it was a success. So the chamber decided to have the parade coincide with the Italian festival.

Longo could not be reached.

Mayor Jerry Wolford said of the changes, “I think its a great plan.” He’s already had a meeting to coordinate the event.

He added that it made little sense to have a stand-alone parade in the middle of summer.

The parade will start on North Union Avenue, turn west on State Street and go through the center of city before disbanding. Null said that will reduce traffic snarls.

Activities will be from 2 to 10 p.m. Aug. 22, with the parade starting at 6. There will be activities for the Italian Fest beginning at noon that day around the bistro. At 6 p.m. that day in Waterworth Park, the Srgo Brothers — Tony and Dominic — will perform harmonica music.

Null said the festival schedule may be subject to change.

wilkinson@vindy.com