The Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, 109 Roya Lane, is now taking applications for the Sept. 25 Alcoa Federal Credit Union Fall Fest parade. The route repeats last years but is different from many years. Float drivers, parade attendees and residents along the route are asked to take note. The deadline for float entries is Friday, Sept. 17.[more]
“We had some people waiting to see the parade in the wrong section of Reynolds Road last year and they missed the parade. We don’t want that to happen again,” noted Staff Sgt.David Mitchem, parade chairman. Viewers should station themselves on sidewalks along Reynolds Road between Sullivan and Mills Park Road and along Mills Park Road.Parade entries to date include quite a few politicians among them:
Mike Beebe — Gov.
Shane Broadway — Lt. Gov.
Jeremy Hutchinson — State Senator
Joy Ballard –Collector
Scott Curtis — City Council
Jill Dabbs — Mayor
Jim Garland — City Council
E.J. Harris — Sheriff
Doug Kidd — Circuit Clerk
Dennis Milligan –Circuit Clerk
Rob Roedel — City Council
The line up will again be at the Bryant School District main campus, but will be predominantly in the football stadium parking lot instead of on the road. The parade will go out Sullivan and turn right on Reynolds and go down Reynolds Road to Mills Park Road. Then it will turn left on Mills Park Road and go to the park. Traffic will be delayed as the parade turns into the park between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
“Parents planning to pick up children who rode in on the floats or people just coming to the park for the Fall Fest fun are advised to get to the park before 9:00 a.m. or wait to arrive later in the day,” noted Carla Harris, Fall Fest chairperson. “Note, too that if you will be trying to come down Reynolds Road to Mills Park Road on that Saturday you may encounter delays,” Harris said.
Anyone may enter the parade. There is no entry fee. Participants must fill out the form with the Chamber. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Sept. 17.
Businesses, schools, clubs, riding stables, churches and organizations are invited. Entries can be cars, trucks, trailers, bicycles, horse, etc. Flags, crepe paper, cardboard, or anything you can imagine and create can be used to decorate.
Past entries have included jungle scenes, aircraft, giant teeth (dental business), funny cars, restored cars, pirate ships, Wizard of Oz, and many other imaginative scenes.
“Our grand marshals for the parade are the state champion Bryant High School baseball and softball teams,” said Mitchem.
Only those who register by the deadline will be eligible for the $50 first prize and $25 second prize checks in three categories business, school and organization.
The parade line up will be at 8:15 a.m. at the football stadium lot. “Those who did not register with the Chamber will go to the back of the line,” said Mitchem. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m.
Floats, cars, and truck-trailers to be in the parade will receive a number to line up by. To ensure the safety of the parade participatants from vehicle traffic, all riders will be dropped off at the Middle School lot on the elementary side of the school and will walk to their floats.
Police officers will be positioned at both Sullivan and Woodland to direct drivers. The floats and parent who are dropping off are directed to enter at Sullivan or Woodland. The School Drive gate will be closed. Floats will turn left at the stop sign at School Street and then right to circle the football stadium lot and enter into their appropriate line.
Parents dropping off will turn right at the stop sign at School and Sullivan and then go to the drop off lot between the middle school and the elementary. Float drivers are requested to come early to be in place before parents drop off float riders.
“We are looking forward to a great parade,” said Mitchem.
Call 847-4702 or e-mail bryantcofc@aristotle.net for more information or to have a parade registration form mailed to you.
