Dear Editor:

I am a Boothbay Region High School junior. 

I have one concern which is the cost of applying to the Windjammer Days Street Parade, which starts June 28. This is a big issue for my family and me, as we have gone to this parade for several years, ever since I was 10 years old, until was 15!

Our family stopped being in the parade after 2017. Since then, when someone applies to join the parade, there is a cost for entering a vehicle or a float! 

Out of curiosity, I Googled the applications dating from this current year to the last year our family was in the parade, which was 2017. The following statistics of the cost to enter the parade were extracted from the applications: 

• 2017: $0 
• 2018: $20
• 2019: $20
• 2020: $20
• 2021: No parade, due to COVID
• 2022: 1 entry: $20, 2 entries: $35, and 3 entries: $45
• 2023: 1 entry: $25, 2 entries: $40, and 3 entries: $45

We own a 1924 Model T, and it runs like a champ! We want to enter our Model T but are hesitant due to the cost this year. Why must we pay an entry fee? Where will the money go? 

In my opinion, the price to enter should be reduced by 75%, or the price should be dropped.

Inflation has increased this year’s entry cost by 25%. There’s more than just $20-$25 being spent by entrants on decorating cars, floats, livestock, etc. I believe that there are better things that the $25 can be spent on.

Matthias Fanslau

BRHS