A court decision has breathed new life into efforts to revive the Old Soldiers Day Parade by ruling Alpharetta did not violate the constitutional rights of the Sons of Confederate
By PATRICK FOX
Back in 2019, the city said it spent more than $20,000 for its part in helping sponsor the parade, a figure that included police, public works and emergency personnel.
Richardson said that when he met with Mayor Jim Gilvin and city officials in May, he was told the city couldnât justify spending that amount of money on a parade.
âThey didnât have a problem with it when their name was on the shirt,â Richardson said. âAnd, if it brings business into this city â restaurant, shopping, notoriety â [theyâre] the beneficiary.â
He said the Foundation got initial approval and received an application for a parade permit. When they presented parade plans that followed the traditional route down Roswell Street, then west on Old Milton Parkway to the Legion Hall, the city notified them it would cost $31,000 for police, EMS, public works employees, equipment and sanitation.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. â A group of veterans has formed two fronts to revive the Old Soldiers Day celebration, a tradition in Alpharetta dating back 100 years. Members of Alpharetta American Legion Post 201 have scheduled a meeting for next week to continue mapping strategies to raise funds and support throughout North Metro Atlanta to stage the event this August. Photos by: PATRICK FOX/HERALD
Up until last year, Alpharettaâs Old Soldiers Day had been held continuously on the first Saturday of August since 1952. The commemorative service included a parade, keynote speakers and food, but it was canceled in 2020, primarily because of COVID-19.