Parchment, Michigan Residents Furious After Annual Parade Cancelled This Year

Every year in the city of Parchment, Michigan, the Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts hosts a number of different festival activities, concerts, and a parade. This year, from July 9 through the 14th, the festival is still set to take place, however, the residents of Parchment are incredibly frustrated after the city announced that it would not be holding the annual parade.

On the Kindleberger Arts Summer Festival & Concert Series Facebook page, they recently made the announcement letting the community know that this year, for understandable reasons, they would not be able to host the parade.

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Announcement: The Arts Commission has determined that, due to ongoing safety concerns and a lack of capacity, we are regrettably canceling this year's parade.Throughout festival week (July 9 - 14), there are tons of other incredible activities to participate in. Be on the lookout for our full festival schedule coming this week!

This had a lot of residents up in arms and furious that this annual event wouldn’t be taking place, but there were quite a few people pointing out that there seems to be a good reason behind the cancellation of the parade:

According to what they said at the city commission meeting last night, it was due to lack of volunteers. In every aspect, organizing, clean up, etc.The festival amongst other things are continuously looking for help. -Margo R.

Another resident concurred:

They don't have enough volunteers to man the parade. So yeah it's a safety issue. Hundreds of people with only a few volunteers means safety concerns. -Jaycee M.

It is unfortunate that the parade can't take place, but without the proper number of people in charge, the event is a safety hazard.