The annual parade of athletes followed by a fireworks display will kick off the recreation department's baseball and softball season Friday night at Mill Creek Park. The event, now in its sixth year, will also include music, exhibition games, tattoo art, balloons as well as the traditional first pitch of the season and comments from local dignitaries.

    "Swing into Spring has become a tradition for this area and we are proud to host it again this year," said Betsy Millsap, events coordinator 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 exhibition games starting, followed at 5 p.m. with inflatable games, karaoke and other activities taking place at Field One. At 6 p.m., ATA Blackbelt Academy will present a community exhibition, followed at 6:30 by Cheer South.

    Making an appearance from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. will also be Truman the Dinosaur, the mascot of the Statesboro Herald's Kidsville publication. Also, Coca-Cola and the SBCPRD will give away four tickets for an Atlanta Braves/Six Flags trip to Atlanta. Those interested can register at the Honey Bowen Building, online at www.bullochrec.com or at the information tent on the night of the event.

    Organizers are asking people to take advantage of the ample parking available at Mill Creek Park. "We've worked with local law enforcement to come up with a traffic plan that will be beneficial to our park visitors," Millsap said.

    Following the fireworks, those parked in the rear of the park will be directed to Beasley Road and routed to Highway 80. Those parked at Mill Creek Elementary School will only be allowed to turn left, taking them to Highway 24 and then to Veterans Memorial Parkway.

    Sponsors for the free event are SBCPRD, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Subway, Coca-Cola, AllGood Pest Solutions, MKK Construction, Parkwood RV and Cottages and Wal-Mart. For more information, call Millsap at (912) 764-5637 or visit www.bullochrec.com.