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Suncoast Pasco News

Not The Same

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FROM A READER

Published: April 1, 2009

Editor:

Although I was saddened by the death of the 9-year-old boy who was killed in 2007 by a float in a parade in Plant City, I am totally unable to make the equation presented by the recent Chasco Fiesta Street parade. The city of New Port Richey enforced a ban on throwing beads to spectators from floats.

The Chasco Fiesta Committee invited all Tampa Bay Krewes to be its guests knowing full well that it is in the spirit and expectations of those organizations to throw beads at such events. The Chasco committee permitted only persons over 16 to walk along the parade route to throw beads, even though many Krewes hire professional security to watch children and the floats have professional drivers.

This situation at this year's parade created an unhappy day for the children and an embarrassment to the adults on the floats. The crowd looked up at these beautiful floats and yelled "beads, beads," but the riders were forbidden to do as expected and toss them beads.

I would encourage all Krewes to save their money next year and choose another of the many parades to which they are invited.

Donna Goss Raye
Port Richey

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