Planning is well underway for the 43rd annual Bell Tower Festival, which will be held on June 8, 9 & 10, 2023, in Jefferson. An ad hoc parade coordination committee met this fall for safety and logistic improvement. The Rotary Club of Jefferson annually sponsors the BTF Parade.
In 2023, the parade route end will be modified. Parade entries will sign in as usual on Ram Drive. Staging will continue to take place at the (new) middle school on Ram Drive and adjacent ball field parking lots. The parade will proceed north on Chestnut to Lincoln Way. At that intersection, the parade will now turn east, or right, for one block. It will officially end at the Greene County Historical Museum on the corner of Lincoln Way and S. Locust St.
Safety for parade viewers and participants is the number one priority. To that end, a couple extra city blocks will be cordoned off for better viewing. Also, the adjusted route will allow for larger parade entries of our valued local industries. Third, the parade will not interfere with the beverage and seating area now located on Lincoln Way.
Also, to alleviate congestion at the parade staging area, an enhanced shuttle loading and parking scheme is being worked on. Additional bleacher seating for parade viewing is in the works. Further information on both will be shared later.
For more information on the 2023 Bell Tower Festival, go to: BellTowerFestival.com, or call the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community office at the Welcome Center in Thomas Jefferson Gardens at 515-386-2155.
For specific BTF class reunions clearinghouse and information, please contact Annie Ostendorf at 515-370-1397 or ostee@netins.net.
