OXFORD, Ga. – Plans for an Independence Day celebration in Oxford are nonetheless up within the air as of March 16.
Earlier this month, the Oxford Metropolis Council voted to not have the annual July 4 parade. The town publicized the choice on its Fb web page on Tuesday night.
“This yr, after considerate dialogue, the Metropolis of Oxford Mayor and Metropolis Council voted to not maintain the parade,” the Fb submit learn, partially. “Whereas we all know this will come as disappointing information to some, we additionally see it as a chance to reimagine how we have a good time as a neighborhood.
”As a substitute of internet hosting the long-standing parade, the council weighed concepts of a distinct doable Independence Day-related celebration at Monday’s work session.
Mayor David Eady advised the thought of getting an occasion extra like an Independence Day pageant. Eady mentioned that town may make the most of the inexperienced area within the city middle space and improve the variety of distributors who already take part in Oxford’s quarterly festivals and farmers markets.
Some council members had been in favor of this concept, with some additions. This included Councilman Mike Prepared, who needed youngsters’s actions to be included.
“We have to ensure that we do one thing for the kids, not simply in regards to the meals,” Prepared mentioned. “As a result of mother and father are bringing their children to have enjoyable.”
Others on the council, like Councilman Jim Windham, weren’t as offered on the thought.
“I’m having a tough time working up any enthusiasm for any of it to let you know the reality,” Windham mentioned. “…The parade was so extremely considered…I simply don’t see this occurring as an ongoing factor.”
Windham and Councilman Erik Oliver mentioned that staffing issues will nonetheless persist, whether or not it is a parade or a pageant.
“There’s no method in hell it is any much less work,” Windham mentioned on the thought of a pageant as an alternative of the parade. “It’s simply not doable.”
A focus of dialogue in regards to the hypothetical pageant was the date it could be held on.
A proposed date listed on town’s work session agenda was Saturday, June 27, which is identical day the Metropolis of Porterdale’s Village Blast is scheduled. Eady mentioned that choosing this date would enable workers throughout the metropolis to get pleasure from Independence Day with their households.
Particular branding for the pageant was additionally mentioned. As a substitute of solely labeling it round Independence Day, speak of labeling it a “Summer season Competition” or an “Oxford Homecoming” had been among the many concepts pitched.
After 20 minutes of dialogue, Prepared mentioned the workers must be approved to look into throwing a pageant, however on a scale that displays the Metropolis of Oxford’s measurement.
“We have to do one thing to maintain the spirit of town collectively not less than annually,” Prepared mentioned.
Eady finally requested Interim Metropolis Clerk Stacey Mullen to seek the advice of with Occasion Supervisor Sydney Mathis about exploring the subsequent steps. No formal vote was issued and it’s unclear when the council will focus on the subject once more.
Although Oxford’s Independence Day parade has been placed on the shelf, the Metropolis of Covington is holding its personal parade on July 4 at 10 a.m. Moreover, in lieu of town’s conventional fireworks show, a pageant will happen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Legion Subject following the parade. Particulars surrounding the pageant stay unclear.
