To the Oshkosh Community –
The Oshkosh Jaycees are a small volunteer organization that gathers as a social group to promote, organize and advance public events in the Oshkosh region. Our events are only capable of being successful with the help from volunteers and in-kind financial assistance from local businesses. Unfortunately, as a growing trend, both of these resources have become difficult to obtain.
Our two largest events that support the Oshkosh community with free admission, in which rely solely on sponsorships of local businesses, are the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Children’s Day Parade and are yearly located at South Park. Due to lack of the above listed resources, the Oshkosh Jaycees Board of Directors regret to inform the Oshkosh Community that we are unable to continue with the tradition of the Children’s Day Parade.
The Children’s Day Parade originated in 1932 by the Ohio Street Civic Association, which was formed by local businesses. At South Park, paraders collected treats from the civic association committee, joined their parents and friends for a band concert and picnic, and awaited decisions by the judges on winning parade floats.
Over the decades, the Ohio Street Civic Association dissolved and the Oshkosh Jaycees helped continue the tradition. The parade has since become a smaller event with roughly only 50 children participating. The Jaycees continued to award prizes to the favorite floats and also began a tradition of raffling off bicycles for children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Locals continue to comment about their wish for this event to grow to the size they once remember from decades ago, but our small volunteer organization is not in the position to make this happen.
We hope that another local organization is willing to step-up and take over this cherished tradition. The Oshkosh Jaycees will assist in all efforts in making it a smooth transition. If your organization is interested in this event or would like more information, please contact us.
