Change in Date Didn't Change Enthusiasm for Ag Parade and Carnival

Any concerns that Martinsburg's annual Ag Parade and carnival would suffer a decline in attendance were alleviated when the numbers started rolling in.

The parade and carnival are traditionally held on the week of July 4, but because of a conflict in scheduling with Bartlebaugh Amusements, who provide the rides, the park elected to hold the festivities the following week. A conflict also arose in 2019 and the park board elected to hold the carnival without rides with mixed results. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the carnival in 2020 and reduced the length of the parade.

Last year saw the return of the traditional J4 celebration and the numbers came in strong with a total gross of $45,896, according to Morrisons Cove Memorial Park Manager Chuck Gojmerac.

With the J4 celebration typically serving as a homecoming for former Cove residents, the question going into this year was, will the crowds be as strong with the celebration being a week later?

As it turned out, the change in date not only didn't hurt the attendance, but the numbers show it saw an increase in visitors and revenue.

Park officials estimate the crowd for the parade numbered around 12,000, an estimate backed up by Borough Manager Rich Brantner Jr.

"That may have been the biggest crowd I've seen here," Brantner said.

As assistant fire chief, Brantner participates in the parade every year and said while the crowd is always big, there were usually certain spots along the route that saw breaks, but not this year.

"I didn't see any open spaces between people along the entire route," he said.

Gojmerac said the carnival saw an increase in revenue this year by taking in $46,947. Final numbers of what the park made will be known once expenses are paid.

"This year we saw a slight uptick," Gojmerac said. "Having it a week later than normal didn't affect us at all."

Gojmerac said that after the cancellation of most activities two years ago because of COVID-19, people are eager to get out and socialize, which has always been an attraction for carnival goers.

"It feels like we have gotten back to normal," he said.

The parade and carnival were not the only Cove summer traditions forced to move its date. The Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company's annual Ox Roast was held on July 8 and 9, up a week from previous years but according to fire company officials, the date change did not deter people from coming out with a reported 5,000 sandwiches being sold during the two-day event.

The Ag Parade also is a boon for local businesses as people coming into town stop by local eateries for a bite before the parade begins.

Martinsburg Pizza sits in the heart of the parade route and owner Dan Replogle said that except for 2019 when the carnival didn't have rides and 2020 when the parade was shortened and the carnival was canceled, Ag Parade day is usually his busiest day of the year.

Replogle said this year's crowd trumped even last year when the parade was held during its traditional July 4 week.

"Last year our busiest time was bargain days and free milk day," Replogle said. "But this year pretty much smoked all the others."

Replogle said he agrees that this year's parade crowd could be the biggest ever. Each year he has staff hand out 5,000 chips that can be redeemed for a free slice of pizza and said they told him it was a large crowd.

"My wife walks the parade and helps hand out the chips and she said it was the biggest crowd she has ever seen," he said.

Replogle said the large crowd could be attributed to the fireworks show later that evening, something that typically does not occur after the parade. No matter the reason, Replogle said the crowd proved that people want to get back to normal after suffering through the pandemic.

Martinsburg Mayor Richard Brantner Sr. said he didn't know what to expect with the parade and carnival being moved from July 4 week but said it turned out to be a huge success.

"Things went well and the parade without a doubt appeared to be a record," he said. "The weather was very cooperative as well."

As for next year's parade and carnival, Gojmerac said whether it can return to its July 4 slot will depend on Bartlebaugh's availability. Gojmerac did note that this year showed that people will adjust to a change if they need to.

"I think if COVID taught us anything, it was to be more patient and flexible," he said.