Community reacts to Middleton parade with no politicians

Community reacts to Middleton parade with no politicians


MIDDLETON, Wis. — The Middleton Good Neighbor Festival kicked off Friday night with the intention of celebrating comradery in the community, but controversy was quickly sparked by a big announcement.

For the first time in the festival’s history, elected officials would not be able to walk in the parade. The announcement came after conservatives made complaints, wanting GOP candidates to participate given that all Middleton-area elected officials are Democrat. 

For decades, the three-day festival has allowed elected officials who serve in Middleton to take part in the annual parade as long as they do not campaign. Besides yard signs and Middleton Mayor Gurdip Brar, this year, the parade hosted none of those officials. 

“I don’t give away candy, I give flags because this is something that they keep for themselves, and I also ask them if they will keep it until they at least graduate high school or college,” said Brar. 

While Brar had nothing to do with this year’s decision to remove elected officials from the parade, he said he thinks future parades will be more inclusive. 

Community reacts to Middleton parade with no politicians

(Cody Taylor/Spectrum News 1)

“I think that we have to include everyone, whoever wants to go in the parade, in respect of whoever they are,” said Brar. 

Community members at the parade seemed to have mixed feelings about the topic. Jane Borowski has been coming to the Good Neighbor Festival for 10 years and she said she could care less if they participate or not. 

 “I have no opinion either way, just as long as it’s consistent. Either it’s all the one way or all the other. When I come to parades, I don’t use that typically as an influential force of who I am going to vote for,” said Borowski. 

John Gillis, on the other hand, said he feels like it is important for elected officials to take part in the parade because it gives them a chance to introduce themselves to new people in the community. 

“I don’t like that they left it out. I think they should have left it open for everybody because they are starting to be biased, and picking winners and losers, and not letting the free open marketplace do its work,” said Gillis. 

It is unknown what the future of the Good Neighbor Festival will look like in terms of political presence, but all politics aside, Middleton families still made their way out to the parade and seemed to enjoy the event.

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