AFAD parade deadline is near

The deadline to enter the 45th Annual Air Force Appreciation Day parade is this Friday.

AFAD will be held Sept. 10 this year.

Annually the largest event held in Elmore County, AFAD usually draws crowds of up to 10,000 people to watch the state's largest parade and enjoy the free barbecue and activities later in the day at Carl Miller Park. The day is a special tribute to the men and women of the armed forces and in particular those assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base.

The theme for this year's event is "Yellow Ribbons, Tying America Together."

Businesses, organizations and church groups are being encouraged to put together a float and join the parade.

"Thousands of people line the streets and also view the floats at the static display so there is no better exposure for your entity," said Sue Gross, a member of the Chamber's AFAD Committee and chairman of the parade.

Parade categories include large and small commercial, youth, military, religious groups, service clubs, classic vehicles and open division. Each category will have first-, second- and third-place winners.

"Remember, everyone in the parade wants to be near the front," Gross said, "but we have to place quality entries throughout the parade from the front to the very end. That is what makes the parade entertaining and lively to the viewers."

A "Best Overall Award for Best Representation of Theme" is the top parade entry award. The "Peoples Choice for Best Float" awards, first, second and third places, are voted on by the public for those floats that are on static display at the park.

Raffle tickets are now on sale for the event.

This year, the AFAD Committee is raffling a 50cc Zuma Scooter by Yamaha, two $500 cash prizes, a natural gas barbecue grill, camping equipment, a digital camera and his and her bikes.

Tickets are available at LaMode Cleaners, the Hair Hut, Mountain Home News, Desert Mountain Motor Sports and the Chamber of Commerce office. Tickets also are sold in the park the day of the event, and drawings are held throughout the afternoon.

Raffle and booster donations provide the basic funding for the day-long party.

"Please consider being an AFAD Booster this year," Gross said. "To become a Booster, you would donate $100 to AFAD. Boosters contributions help pay for the free barbecue and are critical to the success of the day. AFAD Boosters are invited to the breakfast and are honored in the newspaper," she said.

AFAD events actually begin Friday night, Aug. 9, with the annual corn shucking (for the free Saturday barbecue that feeds over 5,000 people each year), followed by the AFAD Fun Run/Walk.

Friday night's AFAD Fun Run/Walk and Saturdays AFAD Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber office, Economic Development and City Hall.

The Fun Run/Walk is $15 per entry through Aug. 29 and $20 after that date.

For more information, call the Chamber office, 205 N. 3rd East St., at 587-4334. For parade or volunteer information, call 587-2173 or see Sue Gross at 150 S. 3rd East St.