Wheeling relents; village will have July 4th parade after all

It might not have quite as many marching bands or the Jesse White Tumblers, but come the Fourth of July, Wheeling will have a parade.

Village President Judy Abruscato renamed the smaller parade "Our Hometown Parade" at Tuesday's village board meeting.

"We don't have $220,000 to spend this year," she said. "But we decided we need to have a parade, that's what people want. Let's move forward with this."

Typically between 6,000 and 8,000 people watch Wheeling's Fourth of July parade, Abruscato said.

In December the Wheeling village board slashed the parade and most of its annual three-day Freedom Fest, including live music and food.

At the time, the board decided to keep only the fireworks, which cost about $35,000. The entire Freedom Fest typically cost between $225,000 and $250,000.

However, Wheeling residents complained, so village officials will bring the parade back to the tune of between $11,500 and $13,000, said Village Manager Mark Rooney.

Local businesses are donating another $6,000 as well, Rooney said, raising the available money to around $19,000.

Most of the parade costs are associated with police and public work employees, Rooney said.

Besides being smaller, the parade will also kick off later than usual - at 7:30 p.m. - and lead up to the fireworks at Heritage Park, which will take place around 9:15 p.m.

The parade's route won't change. It will start at Northgate Park, continue to Dundee Road and over to Wolf Road.

Residents are invited to join the parade. Those interested should call village hall at (847) 459-2600, Abruscato said.