By Mary Rainwater
Staff Reporter
HUNTSVILLE — Entry forms are beginning to trickle in for the upcoming Walker County Fair Parade – considered by many to be the official kickoff of the annual Walker County Fair and Rodeo events.
The parade takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, in downtown Huntsville. It begins at the corner of 19th Street and Sam Houston Avenue, continuing north towards 11th Street where it will turn left and continue to the Hasting’s parking lot.
Entry forms are available for pickup at Heartfield Florist, 1525 Sam Houston Avenue, or on the fair Web site, www.walkercountyfair.com. They will be accepted, along with the $5 entry fee, until March 24.
“Our theme this year is ‘Blue Jeans and Country Dreams,’” parade co-chair Sicily Pierce said. “We are already starting to see entries from our queen contestants and expect at least 50 to 75 entries in the parade this year.”
Others expected to enter a float in the parade include elected officials, schools, churches, local businesses and fire trucks as well as the different animal categories being represented at the fair.
“We had around 70 entries last year and hope to see even more than that this year,” Pierce said. “We always want to see the parade get bigger and better than the previous year.”
Each float entered in the parade will be judged by three local judges, with prizes awarded in about six categories, including best overall entry and best individual entry.
“The parade is such a good event,” Pierce said. “As one of the first events, it kicks off the fair and serves as a showcase of everything one can see if they go to the fair.”
Line up for the parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at 19th Street and Avenue O. Parade organizers require entrants to be checked in by 6:30 p.m., with the parade beginning promptly at 7 p.m.
For questions or more information about the parade call Pierce at (936) 295-5448 or parade co-chair Tammy Winkler at (936) 294-1674.
