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OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — The Rotary Club of Oconomowoc has issued a formal retraction about a decision concerning this year’s Fourth of July parade.
The organization had initially announced that this year’s parade would focus on the city’s 150th anniversary by “hosting a nonpolitical event” to “foster maximum inclusivity and joy for all participants and attendees.”
In the statement sent Wednesday, the board of directors said in part that they have “listened intently to your feedback, and we fully recognize the importance of traditional parade participation to many of our local politicians and constituents alike,” adding that “all political parties and representatives are welcome and encouraged to participate fully in the parade.”
Minutes before TMJ4’s broadcast Tuesday, an email stated that the Rotary Club is “preparing a formal retraction of its decision regarding the Fourth of July parade.” A statement was expected “as soon as it is approved by our Board.”
"Oh my gosh I'm love the 4th of July parade in Oconomowoc - the whole community comes out, it's so much," said Brittany Brzenk, an Oconomowoc resident.
While it's not uncommon to find politicians in parades, Oconomowoc was originally planning a different approach this year.
Brzenk said she could understand not having political candidates but wondered why local elected officials would be excluded.
"Not allowing them to participate in the parade - I would just have additional questions as to why," Brzenk said.
State Rep. Barbara Dittrich, a long-time fan and participant of the parade, expressed disappointment after being excluded this year, writing: "It is neither joyful nor inclusive for my family to be treated this way in our cherished hometown."
The Rotary's Facebook post announcing the decision received mixed reactions.
Some users supported the move, with one commenting, "Thank-you for putting the PEOPLE ahead of any political party." Another wrote: "Love this, I'm proud of you Oconomowoc Rotary."
The Waukesha County GOP Party and its float would not have been allowed to participate under the original decision. The group viewed this as a missed opportunity to celebrate the meaning of Independence Day.
"We have no clue why they banned anything that has to do with politics," said Keith Best of the Waukesha County GOP. "We have volunteers who hand out mini American flags along the route."
You can read the board of directors' full statement below:
"We're reaching out today to offer a sincere apology and clarification regarding recent communications about political participation in our upcoming 4th of July parade, as we celebrate Oconomowoc's momentous 150th Anniversary. As the Rotary Club of Oconomowoc, we are fundamentally a nonpolitical organization, dedicated to "Service Above Self" and to fostering unity in our community. Our commitment to this year's celebration has been to host a non-political parade—a true community celebration. It was never our intention to exclude or restrict any individuals or groups from being part of this important event. Our initial goal for this milestone year was to explore ways to make the parade experience even more special and unique. We had envisioned offering political representatives a distinct opportunity for more direct engagement with community members at the conclusion of the parade, timed with the exciting performance by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. Our vision was for the parade itself to flow as a seamless celebration of community spirit, free from partisan messaging. Even within this original concept, political figures were encouraged to participate in three clear ways: by walking with the City of Oconomowoc's official float in a show of civic collaboration, by joining any existing community organization they are already involved with, or by creating their own non-political float as citizens celebrating our city's milestone with friends and family. Unfortunately, our intentions were widely misunderstood, and the proposed approach caused considerable frustration and concern within the community. We deeply regret that our message was not clear and led to any confusion or disappointment. It was a sincere effort to foster an atmosphere of celebration and joy for Oconomowoc's historic 150th Sesquicentennial milestone. We have listened intently to your feedback, and we fully recognize the importance of traditional parade participation to many of our local politicians and constituents alike. The Oconomowoc 4th of July parade has always been a place where all facets of our community can come together. Therefore, we want to clearly state that all political parties and representatives are welcome and encouraged to participate fully in the parade, as has been our longstanding tradition. We are also excited to confirm that the University of Wisconsin Marching Band remains scheduled to perform near the start of the parade, ensuring their timely arrival at their subsequent engagement at Village Green. We deeply appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this, and we thank you for your passionate engagement with our community events. Your continued support and unity are deeply valued as we celebrate this historic milestone together. "
This story was reported on-air by Charles Benson and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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