Washington
Fish Day won’t return to Port Washington in 2023. The mayor says the event might need new management.
Following the announcement that Port Washington Fish Day is not returning this summer season, Mayor Ted Neitzke requested on Tuesday that the group dissolve if it can’t proceed to host the pageant to let one other entity take over.
“Fish Day shouldn’t be owned by somebody. It is our neighborhood’s custom,” he mentioned at Tuesday’s frequent council assembly.
Fish Day, a pageant which features a parade, fireworks and fish, has been held on the third Saturday of July yearly within the harbor of Port Washington for the previous almost six many years. It was canceled for 2 years as a result of Coronavirus pandemic, however returned final summer season with a shortened parade and smaller grounds.
The group introduced two weeks in the past it was canceling the 2023 occasion as a consequence of a number of components, equivalent to growing prices, lack of volunteers and security considerations, mentioned Fish Day President Mary Monday.
Neitzke mentioned he was “shocked and stunned” that Fish Day did not warn town earlier than making its cancellation announcement. “The town was by no means introduced in on the early phases to downside clear up,” he mentioned.
Throughout the council assembly, he made it clear that town has had an extended standing relationship with Fish Day and donated hundreds of {dollars} to the occasion within the Sixties, which Neitze mentioned can be the equal of round $90,000 right this moment.
If town knew Fish Day was in disaster, it could take motion to assist the continuation of the pageant, mentioned Neitzke.
“I do know my council members really feel the identical manner that we’ll do something we are able to to create the situations to assist a practice that brings everybody residence to Port Washington. I believe that is a vital part for us. So no matter must be finished, we’ll do it,” mentioned Neitzke.
“I do not know if it may be introduced again for this yr, however I definitely suppose sooner or later, and if somebody fills that vacuum now, they will have the total assist of us to ensure that we keep our custom of bringing folks into our neighborhood,” he added.
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Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Comply with her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.