Agenda Item: 3
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 12, 2026
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA VALLEY FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve the transfer of ownership and responsibility for administering the Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade from SCVTV to the City of Santa Clarita, effective with the 2026 Parade and continuing thereafter.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into an agreement with SCVTV whereby SCVTV retains responsibility to determine the line-up order, designate the grand and division marshals, develop the script for the television broadcast, and administer the judging process, at no cost to the City.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade (Parade) is a longstanding community tradition dating back to 1932. Over its history, responsibility for organizing and producing the Parade has transitioned among various lead agencies, including the Newhall Saugus Kiwanis, American Legion Post 507, Downtown Newhall Merchants Association, and most recently, SCVTV, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. While these entities have served as the formal organizers, the majority of planning and logistics has historically been carried out by a volunteer committee.
EVOLVING SCOPE AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS
The volunteer-driven model served the community well for many years; however, the volunteer base has diminished over time, and City staff has increasingly provided operational support to ensure the Parade's continued success, inclusive of staff time to plan and execute the event, equipment rentals, and supplies.
The scope and scale of the Parade have also evolved significantly. What was once a smaller, community-led event has grown into a large-scale production requiring a higher level of
coordination, technical expertise, and professional oversight. This includes logistics, such as road closures, traffic control, emergency plans, public safety coordination, and compliance with applicable safety regulations. Furthermore, ensuring appropriate liability coverage and risk management protocols have become increasingly resource-intensive and beyond what can reasonably be sustained through a volunteer-led structure.
RECOMMENDED TRANSFER AND SCVTV’S CONTINUED ROLE
Given these factors, SCVTV, the current lead agency of the Parade, has submitted a letter (attached) expressing its desire to transfer ownership of the Parade to the City, pending City Council approval. SCVTV has additionally expressed a desire to retain responsibility for certain production-related parade functions, including:
• Determination of Parade line-up order,
• Designation of the grand and division marshals,
• Development of the script for the television broadcast, and • Administration of the judging process.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the proposed transfer of ownership, under which the City would assume ownership and operational responsibility for the Parade, while SCVTV would continue to provide the production-related services identified above.
Upon approval, the Parade would be incorporated into the City's portfolio of special events, beginning with the 2026 Parade and continuing thereafter. City administration would provide centralized oversight of Parade logistics, including permitting, route coordination, marketing, and compliance with applicable safety and risk management requirements.
In addition, the City would assume responsibility for Parade registration processes and the collection and management of any associated revenues. The Parade generates approximately $7,000 in annual revenues from participant registration fees, which would continue under City oversight and be used to offset costs associated with existing City event logistics and operations currently contained within the Arts and Events division base budget.
The recommended approach will help ensure the continued success, safety, and long-term stability of this longstanding community tradition.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City currently provides operational support to the Parade, including staff resources for traffic control and event operations, which is covered within the Arts and Events division's base budget.
Any incremental costs associated with enhanced safety measures and full City administration of the Parade will be incorporated into the City's annual budget development process for consideration and appropriation.
ATTACHMENTS
SCVTV Letter Regarding Parade Ownership