At their regular meeting on May 19, the Pagosa Springs Town Council heard the details of a proposed Fourth of July parade route from Town Manager Andrea Phillips.
In years past — for at least the past 30 years — the community’s July Fourth parade has started at the intersection of Highway 160 and South 8th Street, and proceeded along Highway 160 through the historical downtown business district.
This year, however, that route is not feasible due to the construction of the new McCabe Creek culverts.
Ms. Phillips presented two possible parade routes to the Council. One route started and ended on the vacant parcel just south of the Springs Resort and Bank of the San Juans on Hot Springs Boulevard, making a clockwise loop past the Pagosa Springs Middle School and the ‘East Village’ district, returning via Hermosa Street.
The second option would start on Hermosa Street, loop counteclockwise through the ‘East Village’ and end in the Pagosa Springs High School parking lot.
After Phillips explained potential issues of congestion with the second option, Council member Maddie Bergon urged the Council to select the first option because it seemed easier to implement. Council member Gary Williams agreed.
Council member Mat deGraaf suggested that it was not necessary to hold a parade at all.
“Over the years, I think that the parade and its grandeur has diminished each and every year, and it seems like it’s more of a platform for … people who are running for office or real estate agents, and that’s about it … I don’t feel like our parade is a very great representation of our Pagosa Springs community.”
Mayor Shari Pierce responded that the parade is a tradition in the community and that it’s too short of notice to entertain the idea of canceling the parade.
In the end, the Council unanimously chose the first option, with a total route length of about 1.2 miles.
The management at The Springs Resort has reportedly agreed to let the town use the parking lot as long as the town provides proof of insurance and ensures that cleanup is done properly.