New non-profit to help fund Philadelphia parades

Philadelphia is charging parades to cover the cost of extra police. Ten ethnic parades and festivals that might have not been held, will be thanks to a new group.
Philanthropist Gerry Lenfest has made a half million dollar contribution to a new fund to preserve Philadelphia’s heritage at least for the next five years.

The newly formed charity is called the Greater Philadelphia traditions fund. Congressman Bob Brady came up with the idea. He says instead of parades going down to the wire worrying about whether they can cover city costs, the group will foot the bill and they are looking for more corporate sponsorship.

“We’re talking with PECO, we’re talking with Sunoco we’re talking with other organizations who want to come out, Larry Magid, Electric Factory has always contributed, we’re going to try and continue to do that and raising money to extend the five year program to a ten year program for whatever it may be to make sure they don’t have to go through the pain, One of these we’re canceled.”

The canceled parade was the Columbus Day parade, and organizers say they will be back this year thanks in part to the funding.