Parade Information
PARADE CONTACT: Parade Chairman Charles Sheets at 587-9232 or chuck@kiwanisogeecheefair.org
PARADE THEME: Agriculture: A History of Change. Floats will be judged by adherence to the theme, and winners in the float competition will be notified no later than October 20.
NO ADVERTISING: Entries other than a float, such as a truck or automobile are permitted if applications are filed with the Parade Chairman, but will not be judged for prizes.. Company logos may appear on these vehicles only as sponsors of an entry.
PARADE LINE-UP: Floats must be in parade position no later than 4 p.m. Other entries must be in position by 4:30 p. m. Monday, October 12, 2009. All participants must have their line-up number posted to their group in front and back in six - inch numbers.
SMALL CHILDREN: Groups that have small children must have a vehicle directly behind their group to allow children to ride if they get tired.
HORSES: Contact Holli Deal Bragg at 489-9414 or 865-2352 if interested in riding, leading or driving horses in the parade. A clean-up fee of $5 per horse is required, as well as proof of a negative Coggins test for each horse. Riders are asked to follow McTell Trail back to their trailers for safety as well as ease in cleaning up after the horses.
The deadline for application to enter a band, float, vehicle or any other entry is Oct. 1, said 2009 Parade Chairman Chuck Sheets. Applications forms can be found inside the 2009 Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Book, located at various businesses around town, or online at www.kiwanisogeecheefair.org.
Sheets can also be reached at 587-9232.
There is no fee for entry, and the deadline has been extended, Sheets said.
Horseback riders or those who wish to drive a horse and wagon or cart won't have to fill out an application, but need to call 489-9414 or 865-2352 to register. All horses in the parade must have proof of a negative Coggins test, and riders must pay $5 per horse to cover cleanup costs.
Long-time Statesboro Kiwanis Club member Alton Odom, who was honored this year when the 2009 Fair Book was dedicated to him, is the parade grand marshal, Sheets said.
Rules for entry in the parade are simple; no entries for the sole purpose of advertising, no throwing candy or items (they must be handed directly to the crowd by people on foot) and if a float wishes to be judged for prizes, the theme of the float must reflect "Agriculture: A History of Change," he said.
Bands and dance groups or other walking groups are asked to continue moving so the parade - which usually lasts an hour - won't be held up, he said.
"I'm very excited about the parade this year," Sheets said. This is his second year of involvement with the parade.
There are many new groups who have applied to participate in the parade, he said. A new feature this year are seven Teachers of the Year from Bulloch and surrounding counties.
The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair is the Statesboro Kiwanis Club's sole fund raiser. Each year the profits from the fair are filtered back into the community through donations to charities, causes and nonprofit agencies.
This year marks the 48th year for the fair, which draws participants and visitors from a seven-county region.