Westminster‘s annual Tet parade is now an official city-sanctioned event.
The last 11 years of the parade were organized by private entities. However, last year, with no community group applying to organize the biggest event held in Westminster annually, city staffers stepped in to pull off the Tet parade in less than two months.
Despite Lunar New Year celebrations across Southern California this year marred by the mass shooting in Monterey Park, Westminster’s event drew thousands of revelers. City staffers have said it was the largest Tet parade to date, drawing as many as 15,000 revelers and more than 60 parade entries.
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen commended city staffers for pulling off a successful parade this year.
“I am sure it’ll be much better next year,” Nguyen said.
Officials in November said they expected the parade to cost Westminster about $150,000. However, city documents show this year’s event cost just over $200,000 to pull together, with a total revenue of more than $100,000 helping offset costs.
“I like to see this parade pay for itself next year,” said Councilmember Kimberly Ho. “It would be fair for our taxpayers.”
Ho asked staff to look into grants and the potential for volunteers to help bring down the costs for the city.
Westminster is also exploring setting up a non-profit community foundation that could help with fundraising efforts for the Tet parade.
Community organizations and businesses will be more inclined to donate, said Councilmember Amy Phan West, as they could get a tax write-off.
The community foundation is in the early exploratory stages.
“There (are) no hard or set parameters, as yet, since the council is still waiting for the staff to come back with its research and recommendations,” said Councilmember NamQuan Nguyen.
No date has yet been set for next year’s parade. The council will deliberate on the date and who will serve on the ad-hoc committee at the next meeting, set for March 8 at City…
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