The Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, 109 Roya Lane, is now taking applications for the Sept. 26 Alcoa Federal Credit Union Fall Fest parade. The route has changed and float drivers and residents along the route are asked to take note.
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 and 10 a.m.[more]
“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 Joe Wishard, 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,” Wishard 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 Saturday, Sept. 12.
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 jungles, aircraft, giant teeth (dental business), funny cars, restored cars, pirate ships, Wizard of Oz, and many other imaginative scenes.
“Our grand marshal for the parade is Jimmy Morgan in recognition of the many years he was so instrumental in Fall Fest and never got to see the parade because he was working so hard at Mills Park to make the day go smooth,” said Wishard.
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 Sgt. David Mitchem, parade director. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m.
Viewers will find sidewalks along Reynolds Road between Sullivan and Mills Park Road and along Mills Park Road.
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 Wishard.
Call 847-4702 or e-mail Bryantcofc@aristotle.net for more information or to have a parade registration form mailed to you. Parade forms are also available online at www.bryant-ar.com
