Editor’s Note: The Emporia City commissioners are scheduled to discuss today whether or not candy should be allowed to be thrown at parades. We wrote about this topic two years ago in support of allowing candy to be thrown. Our opinion of this issue has not changed. So today we rerun our editorial from 2009.
Last week the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce sent out parade entry forms for the 34th Annual Christmas Parade. The deadline to get an entry into the parade is Nov. 4, and the parade will take place Nov. 29. The event typically attracts more than 300 entries and more 3,000 people attend, making it one of Emporia’s most popular events.
While this is a fun event there has been something missing. Do you know what it is? It’s the ability for people on floats to throw candy to people in the crowd.
Over the years the community has not questioned the policy, but we wonder if it’s time to bring candy throwing back to the Emporia parades?
The activity has been outlawed for more than 25 years. Former City Commissioner Ray Toso said the law was in effect before he went on the commission 22 years ago, but he thought it was based on the premise that someone might get hurt someday.
Safety is important and we would not want an accident to happen over candy at the parade. But fearing something might happen, is that a good enough reason not to allow it?
Olpe and Americus have allowed candy throwing and have not had any issues. And most cities across the country allow it.
Safety is important and we hope if city leaders allow candy to be thrown that people would stay safe by staying on the sidewalks and use good judgment when retrieving candy.
A generation has passed since candy-throwing was outlawed in Emporia. We encourage city leaders to let the kids have some fun and let candy throwing from floats begin again.
Malique (anonymous) says...
I don't see a problem with it as long as we create a new "child leash law" that requires parents to keep their kid on a 3 foot leash while in public places. This way, they child won't harm themselves or others when they try to bolt out into the street to eat food off the ground.
We also need some after school programs to educate the kids that not everything that hits the ground during a parade should be eaten.
Finally, we need to make sure the slower, out of shape kids have a fair chance at getting their candy. Maybe each parade goer could be issued a punch card that entitles them to 10 pieces of candy. To get their candy, they can get their card punched by each float they want to get candy from. Once their card is full, they don't get any more treats. That way, the chunky kids will have a fair chance to get their share without having to worry about the faster kids scooping it all up.
Think of the children!
October 26, 2011 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
1980s Well I owned property in Emporia, but was never there. I don't remember this law passing. My question is Has Emporia always had G>>DAMN MORONS on the city commission ? What is wrong with a city government that tries to stop kids from being kids ? So now lets cut down all trees on city land so some kid doesn't fall out ,get hurt & sue the city. Drain all the park ponds , we don't want anybody to fall in & drown. TEAR DOWN THE ROCKS, We don't want a nesting bird to fly over and crap in a kids eye & blind them. And on&on&on. OMG what stupid laws...
October 26, 2011 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )