All area businesses and organizations, class reunion groups, churches, political groups, and anyone who wants to be in a parade still has time to register to be part of the Rotary Club of Jefferson’s Bell Tower Festival parade Saturday, June 12.
The parade will step off from the Greene County Middle School student parking lot at 11 am and follow the traditional route north on Chestnut St to Lincoln Way. The parade will turn west to continue past the courthouse and the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower, and then turn south on Vine St and disband at the former middle school.
Parade entries can choose to be judged in one of three competition categories: commercial, non-commercial, or thematic. This year’s Festival theme, “Mission: Impossible,” offers many possibilities. The Rotary Club will provide plaques for the winning entry in each category.
Parade entries should be at the staging area at the middle school no later than 10 am. Shuttle service will be available from the south side of the middle school to the staging area beginning at 9 am.
Rotarians remind entries that safety is of utmost importance. The Rotary Club and Festival organizers reserve the righty to immediately remove anyone deemed to be acting in an unsafe manner during the parade. Throwing candy, trinkets or papers is not allowed; parade entries should plan to have walkers to hand items to parade-goers.
Large trucks and floats with obstructed views must provide walking parade participants to help with safe navigation. Horse entries will be allowed in the parade only if they have their own clean-up crew following them during the parade.
Parade entry forms are available at the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community office at 201 E. Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Entry forms should be returned to the office no later than Thursday, June 10, at 4 pm. Same day parade entries are welcome, but there will be a $25 entry fee.
