Kruise Kalispell steps up to host local parades
Two kids dance and wave out of a vehicle’s moonroof during the Kruise Kalispell event on Main Street on Friday, April 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
The Kruise Kalispell organization is stepping up to continue the tradition of downtown parades after the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce recently announced it would no longer host or sponsor parades.
“We are thrilled to announce that parades will continue with new leadership and fresh ideas under the Kruise Kalispell banner,” Kalispell Chamber President and CEO Lorraine Clarno said in a press release. “We cannot thank Kruise Kalispell, Nichole, and Monte enough for responding so quickly and energetically to this great opportunity.”
The Kalispell Chamber traditionally has hosted three to four parades each year, but two weeks ago announced it was backing away from that leadership role due to a changing economic environment and organizational priorities. Increasing costs of liability insurance and a dwindling number of volunteers to help stage parades were cited among the reasons for the chamber’s decision to quit sponsoring parades.
“We believe this is the perfect fit, and we will continue to make ourselves available as they go through their first year of productions to answer questions and be of support,” Clarno said.
Kruise Kalispell organizers reached out to the chamber to glean all the information for parade planning, from beginning to end, including permits, timelines, budgets, and more, and went to work to see how Kruise Kalispell could step up for the community to keep the parades going.
Nichole Steward of Kruise Kalispell said the organization has more than 11,000 members who have joined their group “and just love to do exactly this type of work for our amazing community. Kruise Kalispell and their weekly cruises down Main Street were created during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order as a safe way to stay connected with the community during the pandemic. The cruises became popular events that drew hundreds of participants.
“We know it will be a big lift, especially this first year, but we are confident with all of the support and comments we’ve received this past week.” Steward said in the press release.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to Kruise Kalispell can visit the website KruiseKalispell.com or email kruisekalispell@gmail.com.