Parade head tells council infusion of cash needed

Freehold Borough

FREEHOLD — The Memorial Day parade is in trouble.

Alice McCobb, who has headed up the parade’s organizing committee for more than 20 years, came to the Borough Council meeting on Dec. 1 with her daughter, Amanda, to make a plea for help from the council to secure funding for the 2007 parade.

Amanda told council members there is a lack of funding available for the 2007 parade because money was not carried over from this year. After sending out more than 200 letters to local businesses, the parade committee has received about 25 responses with total donations of about $800 — well short of the $4,000 she said is needed to organize the event.

Alice McCobb said she is hoping that making people aware of the situation will bring about some additional support from the community.

“I don’t think people realize how much money it costs to put on this parade. I think many people believe that everything in the parade is free,” McCobb said.

Local schools and organizations march in the parade for free, McCobb said, adding that the biggest expense is the music.

Although the bands from Freehold and Freehold Township high schools will march, that is usually the extent of free music, according to McCobb. Other bands may cost between $500 and $2,500.

McCobb said in most cases money for the expenses is covered in roll-over funds from previous years, but this year there are no roll-over funds and the bank account is almost empty.

She said the 12-member parade committee has already spent a great deal of time since September writing letters and sending them out in an attempt to enlist the help and support of local businesses to help make the parade the best event it can be.

McCobb said Freehold Borough does not support the parade with a cash donation, but does supply service items such as police and public works personnel.

Freehold Township has committed to paying for two professional bands at a cost of $1,600, but she said the committee needs more donations to cover the cost of additional music and other incidental costs such as permits and beverages for marchers.

“People want music in the parade,” McCobb said. “They just have no idea how much that music costs.”

McCobb is hoping people who enjoy the parade will respond to the news of the event’s financial needs. Anyone wishing to donate funds for the Memorial Day parade may call Borough Hall for more information at (732) 462-1410.

— Clare Marie Celano