REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Request for City Financial Support for a New Special Event-Parade of Champions
Report
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Parade of Champions was held on Columbus Day starting in 1945 and continued for 50 consecutive years ending in 1995. While the parade was initiated to welcome home veterans after WW II, as years passed, it became a Santa Clara tradition. The Marsalli family and the Young Men's Institute were the initial partners in producing the parade, which ended when Mr. Marsalli retired. The parade included school marching bands, the Santa Clara Vanguard, Santa Clara University, scout troops, local veterans groups, civic and business leaders, sports leagues and community groups, among others. At its peak, it was considered the second largest parade in California, behind the Rose Parade held in Pasadena.
In 2018, the Santa Clara Parade of Champions (SCPOC) formed as a not for profit, volunteer organization with a focus on restarting a new Parade of Champions (Parade) and the goal of holding the first Parade in the historic downtown area of Santa Clara on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. According to SCPOC, the vision is to honor the legacy of the original Parade while celebrating local champions in history, culture, arts, entertainment, sports and technology from throughout Silicon Valley. On October 9, 2018, supporters of the SCPOC requested that the City Council consider providing financial support for an annual Parade in the downtown. Council referred the item to staff to meet with the SCPOC organizing committee and to assess the feasibility of the Parade including logistics, costs, potential issues and community impacts as well as level of City support needed.
DISCUSSION
Staff met with the SCPOC and a professional parade planning consultant multiple times to discuss the proposed Parade and collect background information. The SCPOC has begun meetings with its parade producer, developed ...
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