BYU NewsNet - No Camping: Council Sets LImits for Parade

University Avenue will look at a little different for the days leading up to the 4th of July weekend.

The Provo City Council decided to prohibit people from reserving places on the route or camping out before 3 p.m. on July 3.

"It's a good rule," said Josh Storer, a student from Florida. "I really think it's stupid that people camp out. Some people are just too busy to camp out so they always miss out. I think it really makes it better."

Many students on campus also agree that the rule will help.

"I think it's smart," said Wyatt Strain, a student who lives in an apartment on University Avenue. "I really don't like that people could just camp right outside my door."

The rule will have the biggest impact on those who live along east Center Street and University Avenue, like Strain and Lora Jean Campbell. Campbell said in a news release, two years ago people damaged her sprinkler system, and every year parade goers ask to use her bathroom, leave her lawn damaged and leave trash in her yard.

"The people that live there [along the parade route] should have more say," said Chad Workman, a student at UVSC from Provo. "For me though, the change doesn't really matter. We wouldn't get there until the night before."

The people who would camp out earlier said they would just go at 3 p.m. on July 3, and that it wouldn't really affect them too much.

"There will just be more competition to get the best spots," said Peter Sanders, a student from Texas. "I just think it will delay people and not really make that big of a difference."

Rule changes for July 4th parade

Allows the reservation of any space along the public right of way on University Avenue beginning at 3p.m. the day prior to the parade.

Allows the reservation of any space along the public right of way on Center Street, 100 South and 200 East beginning at 5 a.m. the day of the parade.

Requires that any items on the right of way left to reserve space be attended at all times or be deemed abandoned property that could be removed by a law enforcement officer

Eliminates parking along the parade route as of 8 p.m. the night before the parade.

Provides an exemption for the city and the parade committee so that bleachers and announcer stands can be placed, or property reserved, prior to the assembly times listed above.