May Fete Parade to roll through Palo Alto Saturday Schools & Kids, posted by Editor, Palo Alto Online, on May 1, 2012 at 4:06 pm
The 90th annual May Fete Parade will be celebrated in Palo Alto Saturday, May 5, with the frivolous theme of "Palo Alto at Play." The parade -- featuring an array of group floats, musicians, martial-arts demonstrations and costumed characters -- will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 3:26 PM
Posted by Jordan Band Parent, a member of the Jordan Middle School community, on May 3, 2012 at 9:10 am
It's very misleading to say that the parade goes down "University Ave" when the majority of the distance is on Waverly Drive. Also, how sad for the residents of Channing House who regularly sit on their patios to enjoy the bands marching by. While change can be good, I'm not sure this was thought through.
Posted by palo alto mom, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on May 3, 2012 at 11:31 am
The Parade is no longer sponsored or organized by the School District or PiE, therefore it is not ending at a school. Since the Rec Department is organizing it, it makes sense for it to end at a park.
Posted by Crescent Park Dad, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on May 3, 2012 at 2:10 pm
To be more accurate, PAUSD/PiE no longer sponsors the fair. Rec Dept has always sponsored/managed the parade itself.
And I think the PiE didn't realize any positive cash flow recently. The Rec Dept would have to pay rent to PAUSD to use Addison - free to use their own park...
Posted by liberty, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on May 3, 2012 at 2:40 pm
They still could have made it go down University to Webster (like it used to), then turn down Homer to Heritage park. That would be the same length as before and would still go by Channing house (sort of).
With the entire parade compressed into 5 blocks, i'm afraid it will be hard to find sidewalk space to watch it.
Posted by S Shinomiya (was Kallenbach), a resident of another community, on May 3, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Been having a lively conversation on FB among Paly friends who remember May Day dances, the Fete and the May Day Parade. I marched in it from about age 3 as a (very tiny) matador. Cherished memories.
Posted by Bob, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on May 3, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I hope all the Gunn and Paly teams that won division and state championships are honored with floats or a ride on convertibles. These are our high school young people who deserve a parade.