Route announced for Bicentennial Parade
County and city officials are beginning preparations in earnest for the Warren County Bicentennial Parade, to be held downtown July 5 beginning at 2 p.m.
‘The parade will be the culmination of our 18-month Bicentennial Celebration,’ said Parade Committee chairman Larry Flatt. ‘It will be the last event and it will close out the day July 5. It will follow the unveiling of our Bicentennial Monument and a full day of fun and festivities.’
Parade applications are now available and can be obtained at County Executive John Pelham’s office, the Chamber of Commerce, and on the Web site at warrentn200.com.
Flatt says the parade will provide a great way for local groups and individuals to celebrate the county’s first 200 years, show their creativity, and win some monetary prizes in the process.
‘We’re hoping that many of our civic groups, schools, CICs, churches, non-profits, businesses, as well as individuals, will come out and participate in the parade celebrating the theme Our Roots Run Deep,’ Flatt said.
Floats and individual prizes will be offered in the following categories:
‘ People’s Choice Award ‘ $300 (demonstrates the best use of the bicentennial theme)
‘ Best Band ‘ $100
‘ Church, Civic, Community or Large Non-profit Organization ‘ First place $200, second $150, third $100
‘ Small Club or Non-profit (less than 20 members) ‘ First place $50, second $25
‘ School Sponsored Group ‘ First place $200, second $150, third $100
‘ Business ‘ First place $200, second $150, third $100
‘ Horse and Rider Club, Mules or Horses and Hitch ‘ First place $50, second $25
‘ Car or Truck ‘ First place $50, second $25
‘ Tractor ‘ First place $50, second $25
‘ Motorcycle Club ‘ First place $ 50, second $25
As far as vehicles are concerned, organizers say any era can be represented.
‘We’re not limiting it to just antique vehicles,’ Flatt said, ‘because we’re celebrating 200 years. So it’s open for new or antique cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles. Of course we’re trying to focus on our history, so we would encourage as many classic vehicles to be involved as possible.’
Organizers say it’s important to celebrate all aspects of our history, particularly in our 200th year, and it is hoped those entering the parade will try to represent Warren County through as many stages of its development as possible.
‘Our main legacy is our history,’ Flatt said. ‘We can learn so much from our history and then use that as a foundation to move forward into the next 100 years. If we focus on our history and take those lessons and experiences and use them to make this a better community, then we can become the kind of progressive community we truly want to be.’
Rules for the parade and parade entries can be obtained at the same locations as the parade applications.
Organizers say they appreciate the participation of everyone involved in planning the parade.
Bicentennial Parade route
‘ The parade route will begin at the staging area near the Frank G. Clement Bridge on High Street
‘ Parade will turn right on Main Street
‘ It will turn right on Market Street
‘ It will end at the Farmers Market