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PHOTO BY EDITH LEVANDOSKI.
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Playa Provision’s Small Batch turns out homemade ice cream, waffle cones and sweets making it a worthy summer stop. Pictured: Edgar Sernas and Tayla O’Brien serve up treats at Small Batch.
Parade looks to crowdfunding for this year’s event Thousands of people line Loyola Boulevard every Fourth of July to celebrate America’s birthday and to participate in the community’s largest event with their friends and neighbors. “It’s a great feeling to come out here on the Fourth of July and see all of your friends and neighbors celebrating and waving flags,” said
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Gwen Vuchsas, who has served as the parade committee’s chair for the last 15 years. “We are proud to have so many community groups and local organizations want to participate every year. This is a perfect example of a hometown event that brings all of us together to celebrate.” Although the parade is a feelgood affair that brings out fifty-plus
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community groups to showcase their floats and march along Loyola, the event is not without its share of challenges. According to committee members, navigating the permit process and working with the city can be like a full-time job for event volunteers, who are often left starting from scratch every time the parade rolls around.
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Funding is also always a challenge. The parade, which can cost upwards of $20,000 when you figure in the fees, honorariums, portable toilets, trash pick-up and supplies, relies on donations in order to be held each year. “This event is one-hundred percent funded by the generosity of our (continued on page 4)
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