The annual parade of athletes followed by a fireworks display will kick off the recreation department’s baseball, softball and soccer seasons Friday at Mill Creek Park.
    Swing into Spring, now in its eleventh year also includes music, exhibition games, tattoo art and the traditional first pitch and first kick of the season.
    “Swing into Spring is tradition in Bulloch County for all baseball, softball and soccer players. We are delighted to host this event for the citizens of this community,” said Mike Rollins, director for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department. “We are appreciative to all who make this event possible — coaches, players, staff of SBCPRD and especially our sponsors.”
    The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with inflatable games, karaoke and other activities taking place at Field One. Exhibition games between rec teams begin at 5:30 p.m. The parade of players begins about 7:45 p.m. and fireworks will follow about 20 minutes after the ceremonies end.
    With a large crowd expected inside the park, local and highway safety officials announced the following traffic plan: after 8:30 p.m. the back entrance to the park will be used for exiting only. There will be no traffic allowed to enter or exit during the fireworks. After fireworks, traffic exiting the main park entrance will be directed left onto Highway 24 and will go straight to the bypass for access to Highways 80 and 301.
    Traffic using the back exit of Mill Creek will turn right onto Brannen St. and then left onto Beasley Road toward Highway 80.  Once all cars have exited from Mill Creek Park, traffic from Mill Creek Elementary will be directed right onto Beasley Road to Highway 80.
    Sponsors for the free event are Farmers and Merchants Bank, Rotary Club of Statesboro, Coca-Cola, Subway of Statesboro, Holiday Inn, Franklin Chevrolet, McDonald’s, Alltel, Rental Service Center, and Chick-fil-A.
    For more information, call (912) 764-5637 or visit www.bullochrec.com.