2 days ago
Oconomowoc Rotary reverses course after planning nonpolitical July 4 parade
After intending to make this year's Fourth of July parade a nonpolitical event, the Rotary Club of Oconomowoc plans to retract its decision after a Republican state representative expressed outrage.
The policy elicited split responses on Facebook, and the club limited comments after more than 350 responses. Some residents and conservative talk radio hosts decried exclusion of anyone from the parade, while others appreciated the Rotary's decision and said political divisiveness would detract from the festivities.
"After considerable reflection, a decision was made last year to specifically host a non-political event," club members wrote in a July 9 Facebook post. "Our aim remains to create a universally enjoyable atmosphere where Oconomowoc's legacy and community unity can shine brightly, unimpeded by partisan elements."
The decision was made in part because the city is marking its 150th anniversary. A signup page for participants notes the parade isn't hosting political acts this year, "but we look forward to inviting them for the 2026 parade."
The club initially welcomed representatives from all political affiliations to gather at the Village Green after the parade for a "special moment of unity" featuring the University of Wisconsin Marching Band.
The Rotary added its commitment to the community is nonpolitical, focusing on initiatives like splash pads, scholarship drives, food drives and park enhancements.
"We hold great respect for everyone who contributes to our city's growth, including elected officials and public servants whose roles are crucial to Oconomowoc's success," the club wrote.
State Rep. Barbara Dittrich, a Republican who represents Oconomowoc in the state Assembly, called the Rotary's decision "bewildering" in a June 10 statement and said it deliberately excluded state and federal elected officials.
It wasn't clear if the decision would have prevented local officials, such as Oconomowoc's mayor, from walking in the parade.
Dittrich argued her family "is a dedicated, ingrained part of Oconomowoc's rich history, dating back to the 1950's, a third or more of the 150 years being celebrated within this parade."
"Walking in the Oconomowoc parade is not political; It continues my personal ethos of service, greeting all of the wonderful people I serve, no matter who they are or what their personal beliefs," Dittrich wrote in part, urging the Rotary to reverse its decision.
In a June 11 message to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, club president Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen said the club is preparing a formal retraction of its decision and the statement will be shared as soon as the board approves it.
"What's been unfolding is beyond reason, and perhaps the most absurd claim is that we were somehow targeting or banning only Republicans. That is simply not true, and it's incredibly disheartening to see the narrative twisted this way," Lewis-Tschannen wrote.
Other communities have moved to limit political participation in parades, including Middleton in 2022 after Republican candidates lodged complaints that only incumbents, who were all Democrats in the area, could participate.
And rules against campaigning at Waukesha's July 4 parade drew conservative scrutiny after former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde was told he couldn't participate, while a Democratic congressional candidate could.
Oconomowoc's Independence Day Parade begins at 5 p.m. July 4, starting at West Wisconsin Avenue and Concord Road and ending at the Oconomowoc Police Station.
More: Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc Rotary reverses course on nonpolitical July 4 parade
