One of Bakersfield’s most popular annual parades has been called off after city officials informed organizers they would have to comply with regulations that effectively raised the event’s cost.
Westchester 4th of July Parade Chairwoman Robin Paggi said Friday a Bakersfield Police Department representative contacted organizers after last year’s procession to say the event had grown so large that, going forward, they would have to apply for a permit and take certain safety precautions.
“The added expenses for the safety precautions meant we needed to spend about $5,000 to keep the parade as-is,” Paggi said by text Friday.
When residents of the downtown neighborhood were informed of the expense, she said, they decided against continuing the parade, which has run every year since 1989.
A city spokesman said by email no changes were made this year to Bakersfield’s special event requirements. He said the city, BPD and organizers of the parade worked for more than a year to find a solution “that would be safe and work for the community.”
“That includes suggesting alternate routes that would affect traffic less or even offering the use of Beach Park for the event,” spokesman Joe Conroy added.
“The organizers communicated to staff that they understood the city’s position that we would not compromise public safety for any event,” Conroy wrote.
“The city is open to working with the organizers on this event, and they are still welcome to submit a permit application for this or any other event.”
The tree-lined parade downtown became a colorful tradition for residents of one of Bakersfield’s oldest neighborhoods. Exuding Americana, it drew politicians and others from around the city for an event that felt bigger than the roughly half-hour parade at its heart.
This year, organizers faced city rules requiring purchase of a commercial, general liability insurance policy offering coverage of at least $1 million. They also would have had to provide waste diversion, security and traffic management plans; an ambulance on standby; waivers of liability for event participants; and employment of a traffic-control company providing road closure barricades, among other needs.
Paggi noted the event’s organizers already provide measures such as portable toilets, water and ice for marching bands and at least $5,000 in donations to Honor Flight Kern County.
She said residents of the Westchester neighborhood have been invited to a meeting Sunday “to decide how we will celebrate instead.”