Founder’s Day Event Will Not Be Revived
City Council members this week decided against a revival of the Founder’s Day Parade and Street Faire, at least for now, saying that businesses along its Harbor Boulevard route have not requested it.
The parade and fair began in 1984 to commemorate the city’s 100th anniversary. It was canceled in 1994 during budget cuts and was not revived in 1995. At a recent study session, however, council members inquired about the event and requested more information.
The city staff report, presented Tuesday, gave cost projections for the event and outlined reasons why it was canceled.
When the city, which had sponsored the event at an annual cost of about $26,000, cut it out of the general-fund budget, the report said, officials’ perception was that it added little to the local economy. Also, no service clubs volunteered to organize it, according to the report.
In addition, officials said, some downtown merchants had complained that the parade and fair were an inconvenience that hurt business, rather than help it.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
