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By Meredith Hughes
Yes, there will be a July 4 parade this year in Corrales, starting on the dot of 10 a.m. And, remarkably, one can choose to participate in a wet or a dry version.
For years the fun option of tossing water about was forbidden, but now, in the depths of drought, that option has returned.
One must register for the parade at the “registration” tab on the Parks and Rec website, https://campscui.active.com/ orgs/VillageofCorrales#/selectSessions/3164836.
The categories or groups under which you can sign up are these: antique cars; color guard; dry float; horses/cleanup; MainStreet; military; political group wet; water; wet float.
Just a tad confusing, but, the website explains, “Spectators are not to spray water until the water/wet groups begin 10 minutes after the horse clean-up crew. There are two groups dividing the wet and dry sections of the parade. When registering (if applicable) choose to be in the wet or dry groups. If you do not wish to get wet, then do not sign up for the wet groups.”
“Water and the water groups will begin 10 minutes after the horse clean-up crew. Please focus on the waivers and rules and regulation when signing up. This will inform you of all information as well as meeting places.”
Should you wish to be wet, but not ride a soggy float, choose “water.” Otherwise, choose “wet float.”
Assembly areas for parade floats, vehicles, horses and other participants are explained on the Parks & Rec website, primarily are between the Wagner’s Farm parking lot and Corrales Elementary.
As for Fourth of July fireworks, on April 25 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham urged municipalities to ban them. Bernalillo County supposedly did, as did the City of Albuquerque. Sandoval County apparently has not yet done so.
On May 11, the Corrales Village Council passed Resolution 22-26, “declaring an emergency, recognizing the existence of extreme drought conditions in the Village of Corrales, prohibiting the sale or use of fireworks within the Village during the continuation of drought conditions, authorizing the officers of the Village to enforce the prohibition on sale or use of fireworks, and providing for administrative review when climatic conditions improve.”
A similar resolution was adopted at the May 24 council meeting.
Aside from concerns over the fire hazard, many knowledgeable sources have stated that fireworks affect animals adversely, and also are troubling to people with PTSD, especially veterans.