PARADE IS ON
Old Fort Fourth of July parade will take place after all
In this photo, the McDowell High School NJROTC carries the nation's colors in a previous Old Fort Fourth of July parade.
At first, officials with the town of Old Fort announced an Independence day parade could not take place this year because of the ongoing streetscape work happening on Catawba avenue.
Old Fort will hold a Fourth of July parade this year. At first, officials with the town of Old Fort announced that an Independence Day parade could not take place this year because of ongoing streetscape work on Catawba Avenue. The avenue now has numerous construction sites with missing sidewalks and areas surrounded by orange-and-white barrels. The width has been reduced. Town officials said it was not safe for the public to watch a parade there.
But during Monday's meeting of the Old Fort Board of Aldermen, an alternate route was suggested to allow for the town's Fourth of July celebration.
On Monday, acting Mayor Iretha Hancock brought up the subject of the parade. In the past, the Old Fort parades for Christmas and the Fourth of July would begin at Old Fort Elementary and continue up Catawba Avenue and proceed onto Main Street.
Alderwoman Erin Adams said she wanted the town to have an Independence Day parade. This year is also the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the nation is celebrating America 250. Numerous people at the aldermen meeting said they wanted to see a parade.
Adams suggested various alternate routes but Alderman Melvin Lytle, who is also the Old Fort police chief, said those routes were either unsafe or not possible due to restrictions from the N.C. Department of Transportation.
"Believe you me, I have looked at it and I know it's the (250th) anniversary and everything and it's something that I don't want to cancel," Lytle said.
But when it comes to the safety of the public, he said there was no other way.
Adams said the town could recruit volunteers to monitor the crowds and make sure everyone is safe. A local resident suggested the parade could be held on Catawba River Road which has the Foothills Watershed and access to Catawba Falls. It is a state-maintained road and has no sidewalks.
After a lengthy discussion, Town Administrator Renee Grindstaff suggested starting the parade at the former Old Fort Finishing plant property and continuing up toward Main Street. That solution was acceptable for everyone present at the meeting.
"I am very happy," Adams said.
On Wednesday, the town said on Face-book, "We are excited to officially announce that the town of Old Fort's 250th 4th of July parade" will take place on Saturday, July 4 starting at 4 p.m. Line-up will begin at 3 p.m. at the former Old Fort Finishing plant site.
"This year's parade will NOT follow the usual parade route," the town said. "We are working through the route changes and will share updated details as soon as possible."
Under the new route, the lineup will begin at 3 p.m. at the former Old Fort Finishing Plant on Water Street and will depart crossing the railroad tracks on Spring Street and then turn right on to North Railroad Street and then make a left onto Cemetery Street. The parade will make a left onto East Main Street and make another onto Catawba Avenue. It will make another left onto South Railroad Street to return to the Old Fort Finishing plant parking lot, according to town officials.
The town's fireworks show will take place as usual on the night of July 4. The rodeo will also take place on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.
In other business, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen:
■ Heard a report from Anne George with the Beautification Committee. She showed the aldermen some stickers the committee has created which promote Old Fort. These stickers also seek to raise money for the work of the committee, which seeks to beautify Old Fort. These stickers can be found at local businesses like The Common Pine and Seeker Coffee. George said people can find out more about the committee by visiting oldfortbeautification.carrd.com. The committee is also on Instagram.
â– Heard from Cathy Moore, who is the local leader for the grassroots effort to bring passenger trains back to McDowell County and western North Carolina. She gave a report about the Trails and Trains Festival and a model railroad display at the Old Fort Depot. The next open house at the Depot will take place on Sunday, June 28, from 2-5 p.m. Last month, a total of 36 people came out with 26 adults, five children and five volunteers present.
â– Wrote off the 2014 unpaid taxes, which came to $549.64, and delinquent water and sewer bills, which came to $6,994.01.
