- Ute Stampede Mammoth Parade committee is getting an early start on preparations
|
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
It is already time to plan for the Mammoth Parade for July’s annual Ute Stampede.
Carolyn Ford, chairman of Nephi’s event, reported to Nephi City council members on the preparations which have already been made and other preparations that will come in the next few weeks.
“I sent some forms out to bands,” said Ford. “This year, I made the form so that one-half will be returned and they can keep one half.”
That will make it so that the participants will have all the information about participation, including the date and time, on hand.
“I have already sent out 10 invitations to bands,” said Ford.
She said that a half-price ticket for the participant, she hoped, would be a good draw. Parents and families of the parade participant would still pay the full price.
“Send the invitation directly to our band at the high school,” said Brent Bowles, council member.
Ford said she is still looking for a participant to serve as an outstanding focus, she said. She hopes for something that is outstanding and a little different.
“It will be hard to top those helicopters from last year,” Ford said.
Last year, the motorcycle law enforcement group who perform drills with their motorbikes, was unable to participate because of a prior commitment. This year, she said, she plans to contact them early.
Robert Painter, council member, suggested that Ford contact the Utah Highway Patrol and invite the UHP motorcycle drill team.
“I liked receiving the anonymous nominations for the grand marshal last year,” Ford said. “That was a nice experience to read about the different nominees.”
The same plan will be used this year, she said. There were many good nominations and the final selection was made difficult because of the fine people who were nominated.
Kent Park, council member, suggested the Army Band as a possible contact for participation.
That band operates on a fiscal year schedule so they need to be contacted early. A fiscal year begins in June.
Ford said she would also expand her contact list. Last year, she said, she had been in Spanish Fork and noticed a cute float at Macey’s. She thought that inviting some of the businesses to bring floats would also add to the parade.
Last year, she said, there was only one no-show. The potential participant had a problem and could not be in the parade at the last minute. In fact, she said, there were 73 forms returned and, the day of the parade, there were 78 who participated.
“We have marked out 100 spots for this year,” she said.
Painter said he thought the parade was just right last year. He said that 75 to 80 participants was good.
Last year, one favorite, the bag pipe band, had a conflict and could not participate in the parade.
“This year I will ask if the entry plays loud music,” said Ford.
That way, she said, she could space those entries so that they did not conflict with each other.
Last year, said Ford, her husband was the only committee member in addition to herself. It was a good setup, because it made it easier to handle the paperwork.
Every bit of information was on a zip drive and there was backup for that.
Jeff Sanders performed the service of setting up the announcing booths. That had been a great service, she said.
|
