KGW photo

The Southwest Airlines float starts off the 2006 Grand Floral Parade.

A Friday-night showdown is brewing over the practice of taping off sections of sidewalk to view Portland's Grand Floral Parade.

 More: Local mayors react to tape flap

 Also: Group plans to pull tape off parade route

The debate started when Commissioner Randy Leonard proposed a ban on the practice of taping off those prime viewing spots.

"It's just not appropriate," said Leonard. "It should be first come, first served."

Check Grand Floral Parade route

Now, a group opposing the taping practice plans to pull duct tape off sidewalks all over Portland Friday night abeginning at 8 p.m.

The effort was organized after a flyer appeared in this week’s Portland Mercury newspaper. The editor complained that the tape trashes the parade route and many agree. An article in the Mercury now calls on Portlanders to tear the tape up.

Commissioner Randy Leonard said we would bring his proposal for a parade tape and chalk ban at the next council meeting. If it passes, no one would be allowed to save a spot unless she was there in person to do it.

"I just have a hard time getting my arms around what it is that people think is their right to evict someone who is sitting in their taped off area when they show up at 9:00 a.m." said Leonard.

Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz says it's probably against the law to reserve seats days in advance with a roll of duct tape, but the city has allowed the practice for years. There are even published guidelines on the right way to place your spot off limits.

Some longtime parade goers say Leonard's idea is off base, and would put and end to a great Portland tradition.

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"It's one thing nice about Portland," said Thi Pham. "I'm proud to be a Portlander and I'm proud that I've adopted this tradition." Pham says that the taping system is already breaking down, and that has already produced angry confrontations on parade night. Pham says her tape has already been moved three times this week.

Leonard would say that's why the tape needs to go. He says he's already received hundreds of emails on the topic, more than when he sponsored a resolution on the Iraq War.

Many tell stories of confusion over reservations leading to anger.

"One woman wrote that she went with her aunt and she thought the person whose spot she was standing in was going to punch her aunt in front of the children because she wouldn't move."