Des Plaines dials down Fourth of July celebration

The moonwalk and pony rides for kids are out.

So is the live music during Fourth of July fireworks.

There also won't be any big bands or entertainers performing during Des Plaines' annual Fourth of July parade and "Taste" this summer.

With tight finances in a worsening economy, the city is scaling back on its special events, a necessary compromise to keep both festivals running this year.

The Fourth parade, fireworks and Taste will have to be managed within a $54,000 budget this year. In previous years, the Taste alone cost the city about $65,000.

Typically, the Fourth parade features one band for every 10 floats. Past parade headliners have included the Jesse White Tumblers, a jazz band and other acts paid for by the city.

"We're not paying for any entertainment," said Linda Forman, Des Plaines' Special Events Commission chairwoman. "The parade is still going to go on. We are going to have whatever we can get for free."

Entertainers will have to pay their own way, which is usually a $25 donation for any entry in the parade.

Some traditions will continue. This year's Fourth parade will start at the usual time of 10 a.m. and the convoy will march down Center Street as always. The fireworks show, which cost the city $16,000, will take place on the grounds of Oakton Community College, with people gathering after 5 p.m.

Evening activities "will be scaled back tremendously," Forman said. "The fireworks themselves will be the same. It's all the entertainment and things that we typically have on the peninsula that won't be there. We're just going to have piped-in music from the city. Restaurants that want to pay to have a booth are welcome."

Organizers also won't be able to pay as much this year in overtime for police and public works employees to work the three-day "Taste of Des Plaines," which runs the June 5 through 7 weekend.

Officials considered shortening the event to two days, but the city would have had to pay extra to have workers break down tents, tables and chairs after midnight Saturday.

"So if we cut it back, it doesn't really make sense because we would be paying so much to have the tents taken down that we would actually lose money," Forman said.

Organizers are cutting back on some advertising for the Taste, and couldn't afford to hire a stilt walker for the event.

"Little things like that we're scaling back on," Forman said. "And all those little things add up."

This year's event will still have the usual staples of food, beer and beverage vendors. It will also feature the History Center's "Pies on the Porch," the park district's arts and crafts fair for children, area artists displaying their work on June 6-7, a "Chase to the Taste" run on June 6, and a Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry expo on June 6-7.

Organizers are seeking sponsorships from throughout the community for the Fourth parade and fireworks, as well as the "Taste of Des Plaines." Forman fears the troubled economy will hurt participation.

"Anybody who can help us out, whether it's service organizations, businesses donating money, gift certificates for raffles, help during an event - anything is welcome," Forman said. "We're just going to put our best foot forward."