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Grab the sleeping bags, dig out the umbrella, toss in the folding lawn chairs and stack the root beer in the cooler the Days of '47 Parade is coming fast.
But you can forget catching candy. It won't fly.
The Salt Lake City Council is scheduled to vote on a new parade ordinance July 17. It would allow parade watchers to stake out turf on city sidewalks two hours earlier on the night before a parade. That time is now 8 p.m. The proposal would move it up to 6 p.m.
In addition, the proposed ordinance would lift the city's ban on throwing candy from parade floats and vehicles.
Whether that aspect of the ordinance passes, however, looks to be a moot point for Pioneer Day. Years ago, parade officials banned the practice and organizers say it will remain in effect.
It's a safety issue, said parade spokesman Greg James. Children darting under horses and floats for saltwater taffy is too dangerous.
"We don't have any problem with the [City Council] changing the ordinance," James said. But the parade will continue its ban on throwing sweets.
He added that organizers don't mind paradegoers arriving as soon as they want, but they recognize the city has a responsibility to residents and business owners along the route who bear the brunt of camping.
The council might determine to split the proposal in two, separating the camping hours from candy throwing, said Councilman Charlie Luke.
Luke said he supports allowing parade campers an extra two hours to claim a spot along the route. Tossing candy, on the other hand, could pose a danger.
"It's having kids possibly running out in front of floats or people stepping off curbs to pick something up as a motorcycle officer rides by," he said. "It puts both at risk."
Both aspects of the ordinance have been somewhat controversial, said Council Chairman Soren Simonsen.
He agreed that throwing candy could be a safety issue, particularly because float drivers have limited vision. And, Simonsen noted, residents who live along the parade route complain each year about garbage.
"There is a concern about how the area is left after the parade," Simonsen said. "There is a lot of trash."
On the other hand, changing to an earlier hour may be just a recognition of reality, he said. "There are already people coming earlier than the law allows."
Candy or no candy, extended hours or not, for the Salt Lake City Police Department, it's just another day's work.
"Whatever the City Council wants to do is OK with us," said spokeswoman Carlie Wiechman. "It's takes a lot of manpower. But we've been doing it so long, we just get out and do it."