The Roundup Chamber of Commerce has made the difficult decision to cancel the July 4th parade. Like with RIDE, there were too many rules and regulations set by the Central Montana Health District that had to be followed and observed to make the parade worth having and enjoyable for everyone participating and watching. A health plan would need to be submitted to and approved by CMHD, Musselshell DES, and the Musselshell County Sheriff's Office. The plan would need to include the following:
• Bottles of hand sanitizer would have to be placed at each intersection all the way up Main Street (this would take approximately 30 containers of hand sanitizer, as well as the 30 tables or stands required for the sanitizer to sit on). Posters reminding people to "social distance, wash your hands, and don't touch your face" would have to be printed and placed at each hand sanitizing station as well.
• 10' squares that are 6' apart would have to be painted or marked on sidewalks on both sides of the street all the way from C Brewer down to the Grand Bar (excluding the blocks around the hospital, which would have to be cordoned off, and no one except the hospital residents and employees would be allowed). There would be approximately 660 boxes or spaces to mark on the sidewalks - this would take lots of time and money (for materials) to achieve this for our hour long parade.
• No candy, popsicles, shirts, or anything of any kind would be allowed to be thrown during the parade - we know this is a big draw for families with small children.
• If Montana has to go back to Phase 1, we would be unable to have the parade. There is also no way to know when Montana will go to Phase 3.
This plan that would be submitted would need to be followed completely by the entire community, should they all choose to come out to watch the parade. Since parades are being cancelled all over the state, folks will flock to the communities that are having a parade. This brings the inherent risk of bringing COVID into our community. This is why the Chamber has decided that it's in the best interest of our community to cancel the parade.
Although the parade is cancelled, we would like to invite the community to participate in another "Cruise Main Street" at the same time the parade would have happened, 11am on July 4th. The Sheriff's department has said that the local posted speed limit will be strictly enforced. Please drive safe and responsibly.
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