Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 1:03 a.m.
New parking rules, including a charge in the evening, will be enforced this year at the 61st Annual Damboree Festival.
Parks and Recreation Director Roger Hall said the corner of Fifth Street and Avenue B, near the Broadbent Memorial Park swimming pool, will be closed to non-parade vehicles starting the night of July 3.
Hall said the changes were made to make it safer and to clear parking spaces for older patrons. Hall said because the vehicles occupied parking spaces near the pool ahead of the festival, people who came to swim had to park far away.
“People (in past years) would line up their trucks the night before on Avenue B to get good spots,” he said. “And last year, they had their trucks there four days in advance.”
During the parade, Avenue B is a notorious “wet zone,” Hall said, explaining people like to reserve spots where water balloons, squirt guns and hoses are allowed.
Hall said people will be towed if they try to park or save spaces in that area. It will be sectioned off and barricaded.
“We ask people to work with us here to make it safer,” he said. “It’s just a better set-up.”
Hall said he expects about 10,000 people to attend the day’s events.
He recommended parking in the Bravo Softball Field lot. Although there will be no buses or shuttles, side streets will be open to public parking and many lots will be available for use, he said.
Evening revelers at this year’s Damboree celebration will be charged for parking at Veterans Memorial Park, 1650 Buchanan Blvd., where the fireworks show is held.
The Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department, which organizes the annual celebration, will charge $5 per car for parking at the park. Some limited, free parking will be available on the park’s periphery, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Patty Sullivan said.
The money will help pay for expenses surrounding the Damboree show, Sullivan said. Hall said he’s still looking for volunteers to help with the festival. Those who are interested may contact the Parks and Recreation Department.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “And it should be one heck of a fireworks show.”
Damboree schedule
- 7 a.m.: Rotary pancake breakfast at Bicentennial Park (1100 Colorado Street)
- 9 a.m.: Parade (Begins at Colorado, ends at Avenue B. and 5th Street). Parade flyover by Boulder City Veterans Flying Group
- 10 a.m.: to 4 p.m. Games and festivities at Broadbent Memorial Park, 1301 5th St.
- 11 a.m.: Flag raising and national anthem, presentation of parade trophies and greetings by officials, including Assemblyman Joe Hardy, Nevada Treasurer Kate Marshall, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
- 11:30 a.m.: Entertainment, including performances by the Boulder City Department Cheerleaders, Life Long Dreams musical group, Justin Mather and Neil Diamond, Billy O and Lilly Rose impersonators
- 2–4 p.m:. Games and contests, including a coin toss at the swimming pool at 4 p.m.
- 6 p.m.: Festivities at Veterans Memorial Park begin, 1650 Buchanan Blvd. Officials note that there will be no personal fireworks allowed in the park.
- 9 p.m.: Fireworks show at Veterans’ Memorial Park, followed by live music from a D.J.
Reporter Jean Reid Norman contributed to this report.
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