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The 17th Annual City-Wide Back-to-School Parade and Rally
08/23/2007 8:33 AM by John M
The 17th Annual City-Wide Back-to-School Parade and Rally is this Saturday! The parade begins at 10AM at Chimborazo Park and will proceed down Broad Street to 25th Street to Fairmount Avenue to Mosby to the Richmond Coliseum.
The FREE Back-to-School Rally will happen from 12:00PM – 3:00PM at the Richmond Coliseum following the parade. Special Entertainment at the rally includes God’s Image, ventriloquist Jelly-Bean, Raggz & Ba-Be T-Rex, Imani, and the local-for-now Yung Spade.
All children & youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
I read in the paper that Delores has budgeted $30,000 for this venture. Based on the 5 (yes count them 5) kids that were in the parade, they are spending $6,000 per kid for the parade.
I not sure what all the money goes to, but I attended the parade and the back to school rally. All the city’s marching bands performed. There were other (paid?) performers as well. They gave away school supplies and had tables set up to sign up for reduce price lunch, health insurance, etc. The rally also included other districts besides ours, notably Ellen Robertson’s district. I would say at least 200 to 300 (not good at estimating) were in attendance at the Coliseum.
I still am not sure what cost 30,000 dollars, but the rally went a lot further than six kids. Anyhow, ask Keith West – he was there.
I can’t speak to the rally, but the parade went past my house … and it was one of the more pathetic things I’ve ever seen. I didn’t see any marching bands. I suppose they could have gone straight to the Coliseum, which would be pretty weak.
The marching bands performed at the coliseum. I am wondering if part of the cost of the event is the cost to rent the coliseum. Of course, they do pass out the free school supplies too.
Even though the parade through our neighborhood is pretty weak, there was a pretty good turn out at the rally.
I just wonder if the event is cost effective in the least. Couldnt the school supplies be handed out at school? At your estimate or 300 kids in attendence, the city spent around $100 per kid on the event.
My understanding is that there is considerable cost in blocking off streets and having the police escort required for a parade.
Plus, it was way too hot for any sort of parade. I felt sorry for the honor guard (the only section of the parade actually on foot other than the 3 kids holding up a real estate add).
I have never heard of another city holding an event like this. I think its purpose, more than anything else, is to make the community think Delores McQuinn is doing something. Bread and Circuses….
I am really not good at estimates, there could have been more.
I think the event is held 1) to provide school supplies for families in need 2) get school age kids and parent (big emphasis on parents at the rally) excited about the school year.
We did not take any school supplies, because I already bought supplies for my kids. But, I spent over $100 dollars on them and that does not include other back to school costs like co-pays for physicals and new clothes. This could be quite a setback for families with multiple children and limited income.
It probably it mostly political theater, but it does help out the community.
Greetings to everyone, first let me thank you for your comments and concerns about this year’s “Citywide” Back-to-School-Parade and Rally. As the 17th Annual event began this year with 4 youth revivals across the city at differant churches, the parade and rally are the major events designed to bring the entire city together to support the enhancement of our wonderful public school system.
To answer some of your concerns, the entertainers were not paid, since it’s establishment, every performer, parade participant, etc, has donated their quality time and energy to provide the many services for the community at this great event. There are still cost associated with any major event such as this or any community event regardless of where its held, indoors or outdoors.
You must look at the overall safety aspects of such an event. With the heat as a factor during August, the bands have always asked to march from EDI-25th and Cedar Street, because this is really their first week back in training and the conditioning sessions have not really begun. Anyone that has ever marched in a marching band knows what it takes to be prepared. The 17th Annual Citywide event was well attended, about 1800. There were also community display booths on the concourse and every person that attended the event did not stay for the show.
If you have time, please visit the website to the Bud Billiken Back-to-School Parade of Chicago to see their Back-to-School Parade, which is 5 miles long and always held on the first Saturday in August and they are in their 82nd Year. We have just begun to really impact our communities to participate in such a grand event. Please feel free to join us a committee member as we began to plan for the 18th Annual City-Wide Back-to-School Event. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to everyone who participated, watched, enjoyed and lets support our children for the upcoming 2007-2008 School Year. As a community standing together, we can get many things accomplished. “Dividing ourselves conquers nothing.” Thank you.