DATE: Friday, June 6, 1997                  TAG: 9706040190

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

S. NORFOLK PROPRIETOR TRYING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JULY 4TH PARADE

IF IT'S UP to Thomas R. Connolly, the upcoming Fourth of July parade in South Norfolk will feature the stirring sounds of more than a dozen bagpipers and a blaring brass band.

But that takes money and right now that's in short supply. In fact, it's so short that this year's parade, preceding the annual Fourth of July picnic in Lakeside Park, may lose the services of the 14-unit bagpipe band and a five- piece brass band.

``The time is fast approaching for the parade and we need to see if we have the funds to bring these two units back,'' Connolly said. ``We need to know very soon if the funds are out there.''

The owner of Connolly Glass, Inc., on Atlantic Avenue, thinks it's a pity that the South Norfolk Business Consortium, of which he's a member, has withdrawn financial support for the Fourth of July parade.

For the last three years, Connolly said he had organized several other businesses to financially support the parade by helping pay for a couple of the marching units.

He said that he, along with support from Bill Midgette Auto Shop; Jasper W. ``Pete'' Taylor, pastor of Agape Ministries; Cliff's Equipment; the South Norfolk Spur gas station; Townsend Fuel, Inc.; Park Auto Parts; and the now out-of-business Unlimited Signs, banded together to provide funds and services to allow the Tom Cats brass band and the bagpipe band to play at the parade.

Last year, Connolly said he received help from the South Norfolk Business Consortium, but since they're electing not to sponsor a parade unit this year, he's back trying to get funding help to bring in both units for this year's July Fourth processional.

``I've got the bands calling me up to see if they're going to be part of the parade,'' Connolly said. ``But I haven't got the funds for it. And the people who come to play in these parades don't make a lot of money, either. Usually it's for their expenses.''

Why does Connolly want to help the parade? Out of civic pride, he said.

``I've been in business in South Norfolk since 1975,'' he said. ``And I just want to help do something for the community. I felt good about helping the parade.''

He said when he first heard about the parade starting up a few years ago, he went right to then parade chairman Brenda Johnson.

``I went to her and asked her what I could do to help,'' he said.

Connolly said he would like to see a little more music at both the parade and the Lakeside Park celebration.

``You can't have a nice parade and outing without good music,'' he said. ``You've got to be making noise at the parade to have fun.''

Connolly said the parade with lots of music makers and marching units is something that could lift the spirits of South Norfolk residents.

``They've (Fourth of July parade and picnic organizers) been trying to bring something back to the neighborhood,'' he said. ``I feel we started something good in this area and would feel bad if we give up on it. I'd never done anything like this before, but I decided to get involved and help with the parade. It's been little fellows like me that's been helping them with the parade. And we all think the parade and the picnic is a nice little thing for Chesapeake families.''

Connolly said both the parade and the picnic are nice old-fashioned family events, simple in scope and execution.

``It's a good, down-home thing,'' he said. ``It's usually a great day to have a good time with no alcohol. At the last few parades, I saw people smiling and tapping their toes to the bands. Some people think it's a waste of money but when you see the smiles on the faces of children and old people, you know it's all worth the effort. When you see the smiles on the elderly people and little kids who don't get out much, you know you've done a good job.''

Any individual, business or civic organization who would like to help fund a couple of musical units in the upcoming South Norfolk Fourth of July parade, should contact Connolly at 543-5503.

``They can call me and I'll clue them in on what's going on,'' he said. ``We want to make this parade another success.''

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