Building Burlington's Community - Having a Parade or Community Event
 

	Police		658·2704		Contact regarding street closings or parades
	Fire		864·5577		Contact Fire Marshal regarding street closings
	City Hall		865·7000		Contact City Clerk / Treasurer for vending licenses, banner application
	Church Street Marketplace		863·1648		Any use of Church Street between Main Street and Pearl Street requires a permit from this office.
	Parks and Recreation Department		864·0123		For park reservations, special use permits, and special event vendor permits
	CCTA		864·0211		For activities that may cause changes in the city bus routes
	Public Works / Traffic Department		864·9806		For street closings and parking meter rentals
	Churches				If your event is scheduled in the downtown area on a Saturday or Sunday and will be closing streets, check with affected churches.
	Local Residences				(If block party) Send a letter to area neighbors explaining the event.
	Burlington Business Association		863·1175		If you would like your event listed on their master calendar of events or if your event closes streets in the downtown area

A group of residents work together to plan the Old North End Parade which takes place each fall. The group raises money, invites groups to march in the parade, applies for permits, distributes flyers along the parade route, and ends the parade at Roosevelt Park with a celebration. Youth, businesses, and other groups are involved in the parade.

Lakeview Terrace:  Building a Parade Float

Lakeview Terrace Neighborhood Association has been entering floats in the Burlington Mardi Gras Parade for 7 years with themes ranging from circuses to alien spaceships. “The first float we built was a big bowl of Gumbo on the back of a pick up truck. We dressed as crawdads and had so much fun we had to do it the next year,” says resident Mike Callahan.

The 2004 float created and entered by residents of Lakeview Terrace won first place that year in the parade. “In the summer the neighborhood gets together for ice cream socials and plant swaps. It’s hard in the winter to get people out of their houses and we find the parade is an ideal winter activity.” says Lakeview Terrace resident, Alan Bjerke.

The entire neighborhood participates in the planning and building of the float. They start planning several months in advance; raise money, and identify which people will head up costumes, props, music, and building the float. Residents build the float in garages and basements as well as sew costumes, make props, prepare music and gather musicians from their street to perform. “The parade is also a way for us to learn about each other’s special skills,” adds Odele Peter.

	Callahan says getting the street together to create a float each year for the February event helps the street be a microcosm of what a community should be. Since they have been organized as a street association, Callahan adds, “I’ve seen crime go down, and I know my neighbors look out for my house when I’m gone.” “This is a tradition people look forward to,” adds Bjerke.
Residents of Lakeview Terrace participate in Burlington’s annual Mardi Gras Parade. In 2004 they won first place with a pirate theme.

 

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