Mother Nature did a Bah Humbug on the annual holiday parade sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley for Sunday, leaving residents disappointed and flustered over the popular event having no rain date.
A dazzling lineup of bands, floats, and other attractions was scheduled to march down Montauk Highway, but it was not to be, as the winter season brought a dreary rain. The show will go on next year, according to Chamber President Frank Montanez, with the same features and sponsors.
"We have not scheduled rain dates for the last few years because we very rarely ever had to use a rain date," Montanez said. "What happens is when you have the rain date, you lose anywhere from 20 to 25% of your participants. Automatically, you're losing people in the parade, and then you lose a good portion of your onlookers. So, we thought about it very carefully, and we also had some input from the police department and from Brookhaven Town; there was a lot that went into deciding not to have a rain date," Montanez explained.
"People think that we just nonchalantly say no parade; that's far from the truth," the chamber president continued. "We take this parade very seriously to make sure we have the best event possible. There's a lot that goes into planning and staffing an event on this scale, and it would not have been as good if we lost those participants who could not make it on the rain date."
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Some backed the no-rain date decision. "No rain date because to coordinate staffing and emergency personnel availability is not only financially restrictive, it is pragmatically and logistically impractical, especially on a weekend in December," wrote Joseph H. Johnson. "Considering that the majority of all who organize are volunteers who are orchestrating and managing several groups along with governmental agencies, there is a reason parades generally do not have rain dates."
Montenez said the parade's Grand Marshals, Keith and Cassie Caputo, will be invited back, as well as all of the participants and sponsors. "Any money that gets taken in will get used for the parade, and anything that's left over gets used for the following year," he added.
"I'm one of the most passionate people regarding the parade and Christmas," Montanez stressed. "There is definitely a lot of disappointment. I know there's a community disappointed, but also, so are we, extremely so." Montanez said the chamber conducts many activities throughout the year and is hopeful that residents don't look upon the organization unfavorably over this year's rainout. "There are many excellent events that many civic groups and organizations put on throughout the year, and while we could not have the parade today, we look forward to future events and, of course, a triumphant return next year of our Christmas Parade. Until then, we apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience and hope that everyone gets a chance to enjoy the holiday season," the chamber posted.