![]() ![]() In 1986, the parade and festival were moved from their original dates in June to their current dates in May after the City Council voted against allowing the park to be used during summer months. The parade and festival went on as scheduled only after an anonymous lender stepped forward at the last minute to underwrite expenses, including the cost of the insurance.ĭuring that year’s parade, Doyle recalls, two women riding a float sustained minor injuries after being shot with BB guns, an incident police now say they can’t confirm. But city officials demanded nearly $18,000 to pay for police protection during the event and that organizers purchase liability insurance worth $1 million.Īcting on behalf of parade organizers, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit charging the city with discrimination. Dever argued that a two-day festival would tie up a popular public park too long.Įvent organizers went before the City Council to appeal the move, and in a noisy meeting attended by about 300 Bible-waving protesters, persuaded the council to vote 5 to 4 to allow a two-day festival. The next year, without warning, then-City Manager John Dever issued an edict shortening the festival to one day.
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