China Grove council discusses planning for parade

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 8, 2014

In its short Tuesday meeting, the China Grove town council focused on planning for the annual South Rowan Christmas Parade. Mayor Pro Tem Lee Withers added Christmas parade planning to the agenda just before the meeting and suggested the parade collaborate with schools to ensure next year’s parade allows students to participate.
“Moving forward into next year we need to understand if schools are going to be let out or not,” Withers said. “If they are, then plan the parade as is. If they’re not then we can start dialogue to start a new southern Rowan parade that needs to change times.”
Mayor Don Bringle said the parade usually occurs on a Tuesday, meaning school is in session. Though, in previous years, Bringle said the school allowed elementary, middle and high school students to get out early to participate.
“There’s a possibility that next year’s calendar may reflect it as a normal school day and not a partial day, which is what has been done,” he said. “It would greatly impact the parade from that perspective.”
Bringle said the Salisbury parade is usually scheduled at a time that allows schools to participate.
Withers suggested that China Grove begin planning for both situations — with students being able to participate and students not being able to participate.
Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246