Though the recession has forced the city to stop funding the Parade’s prize money, the event, like 10 other parades throughout the year, is still publicly subsidized in the sense that Philly picks up the policing tab. The mayor’s office estimates the cost this year at $188,000, not including extra officers assigned to the “Two Street” after-party.

Policing a parade (or “Two Street” or a Phillies game or Saturday night in Old City) is not a “subsidy”. It’s policing. It’s the city’s job. The parade could happen without the police and the police are here regardless of the parade.

And really: the parade has been going on for 112 years. At this point, it should be built in to the police budget that every New Year’s Day there are going to be extra drunk jerks that need to be dealt with.