in full swing

By MICHELLE WILSON

Staff Writer

Published Oct. 20, 1999

An air force jet and clowns from the Colley Senior Complex will join traditional favorites like area high school bands and professional floats for the Troy State University Appreciation Day Parade Saturday.

The official Homecoming Parade, which is sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, will begin in Downtown Troy at 10 a.m.

The parade route begins at Madison Avenue and Three Notch Street, said Jenniffer Simmons, community development director for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The parade will move from there toward the square and turn right on Elm Street and travel to Brundidge Street.

The parade should last about one hour, Simmons added.

A Troy Police Department patrol car will lead the parade through the cities streets, she said. It will be followed by the chamber’s banner, 35 units by TSU organizations, eight area high school bands and Troy State’s Sound of the South Marching Band.

There will be 10 professionally built floats with riders from TSU’s student Government Association, Troy Banks and Trust, City of Troy, Pike Manor, Hudson, Pike County Commission, New Life Christian Academy, Troy Cablevision, Rotary International and City of Brundidge, Simmons said.

All area volunteer fire departments from Poke County, Brundidge, Goshen, Meeksville, Saco, Henderson, Hamilton Crossroads, Banks and Spring Hill will also participate in the parade, she said.

"Although much of the parade is what people have seen in previous years, people look forward to it every year," Simmons said. "This parade is the chamber’s way of showing its appreciation for Troy State and its contributions to the community."

She said she expects people to begin taking their spots to watch the parade at about 8 a.m. The parade is free and open to everyone.