By William Kenny

Times Staff Writer

Gary Cozens is one of the most optimistic people you'll ever meet - which works out well for the local insurance executive, considering his volunteer work as secretary/treasurer of the Optimist Club of Mayfair.

True to form, Cozens is keenly optimistic when discussing plans for his organization's big Thanksgiving festival on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the John Perzel Community Center. Billed as a Parade of Talent, the event will feature the Greater Kensington String Band, other musical acts, dance troupes, youth performers, the LuLu Shrine Klownz, vendors, raffles and promotional giveaways.

Santa and Mrs. Claus may stop by, too. Afterward, the Optimists plan to hold a public Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.

Yet, some folks can't help but feel a bit skeptical about the decision to replace the Optimists' usual holiday celebration, the annual Mayfair-Holmesburg Parade, which would have graced Frankford Avenue for the 34th consecutive year.

The Greater Kensington String Band and Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club are partner organizations in the annual event, which may have been the largest annual community-organized Thanksgiving parade in the state, according to Cozens.

Despite that tradition, organizers simply couldn't afford to put on the parade this year due to the city's new policy of billing community groups for things like extra police protection and sanitation for public events.

That, plus the ever-increasing struggle to maintain the parade's traditional funding streams, left the Optimists no real option but to take it indoors, where no city permits or support services are needed.

Now, organizers can keep a lid on expenses while reducing bureaucratic red tape and taking variables like the weather out of the equation.

LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN

"Until we can expect city assistance in police and sanitation, we will be at the Perzel Center," said Cozens, the event chairman. "The most unique opportunity in taking a parade under a roof is that I don't have to worry about Mother Nature. We have peace of mind and hopefully we don't have to worry about people coming, even if it's raining."

Between 50,000 and 75,000 people usually attended the Frankford Avenue parade, according to Cozens, who cited estimates from Philadelphia police.

"I would hope that fifteen percent of that come to the Perzel Center under a roof," he said.

The venue is at 2990 St. Vincent St. The event is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m.

"What I picture is the performing arts on the south side of the venue, then exhibition booths at the front," Cozens said. "(Patrons are) going to be able to meet the people who run the parade personally."

The Optimist Club of Mayfair consists of about 35 businesspeople based on or near Frankford Avenue. Each year, members have raised about $18,000 for the parade. Most of that covered the donations that were distributed to the performing groups.

Longtime supporters include Cass Gilbert of Mayfair Shop 'n' Bag, Pete Ciarrocchi of Chickie's and Pete's, PECO, Exelon and the Foremost Insurance Group.