{City Cancels Grand Terrace Days}

Stephen Wall, Staff Writer

GRAND TERRACE - The city's signature community event has been canceled this year, a casualty of the economic crisis.Grand Terrace Days parade and festival had been held every June since 1984.But the corporate sponsorships the city relies on to put on the event dried up this year, officials said."If this was subsidized by the city, we could still have gone forward with it," said acting City Manager Steve Berry."Unfortunately, it was not something that was funded in the budget."The city has an events committee made up of service groups and community leaders that decided to cut back on major events because of the economy."This is a one-time thing, we hope," Mayor Maryetta Ferre said."Hopefully when the economy picks up, we can do it again."Grand Terrace Days, which celebrated the city's 30th anniversary, cost about $40,000 last year, Berry said.While the city doesn't budget any money for the event, employees who work that day get overtime pay, Berry said.He said the city is working with community groups to put on a smaller-scale event Sept. 12 at Richard Rollins Community Park.Officials are planning a pancake breakfast, car show, concert in the park and possibly a parade that day.