The Woodlands Township approves new contract with South County Fourth of July parade

The Woodlands Township board of directors approved providing $25,000 to the annual Fourth of July parade committee following contention over inclusion of certain groups and organizations in the event.

What you need to know

Bret Strong, the township's legal counsel, informed the board of a three-year standing agreement with the Fourth of July civic committee providing $25,000 a year for festivities. Board member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs requested a review of the contract following citizen complaints over the inclusion of a float from The Woodlands Pride.

Following discussion in executive session, the board unanimously voted to approve a revised contract to specify what township funding can be used for by the Fourth of July parade committee. The new agreement allocated $25,000 a year for the next three years to help fund:

• Law enforcement
• Traffic and crowd control
• Event infrastructure

Quote of note

“The parade cannot be produced without the support of The Woodlands Township and the many many community leaders, businesses and volunteers,” said John Powers, president of the South County Fourth of July Committee. “The township’s funding and in-kind support provides a large portion of the resources necessary to produce the parade, but it took the contributions of the community, [the township], sponsors and underwriters to ensure the success of the parade.”