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AFAD set to celebrate golden anniversary
Final plans are coming together for next week's Air Force Appreciation Day.
The Sept. 11 event will mark the 50th anniversary of the annual celebration of the military personnel at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The theme this year is "50 Years of Patriotism."
Pre-AFAD activities begin the Friday before, on Sept. 10, with the annual corn shucking at the cook shack in Carl Miller park beginning at 6 p.m. Scores of volunteers will shuck the corn to be used in the next day's free barbecue in a matter of minutes. The Commander's Social follows, along with the AFAD Fun Run/Walk.
On Saturday, events begin at 8 a.m. with the VIP Breakfast at War Memorial Hall.
Parade participants will begin lining up at 9 a.m. in the streets behind Paul's Market (a map of the parade line-up locations will be carried in next week's Mountain Home News).
At 10:30 a.m. the Idaho National Guard's A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft will fly over the city, marking the start of the state's largest parade, which will wind through the downtown area, finishing at Carl Miller Park.
For the first time in many years, the 25th Army Band will be unable to attend. In its place, at the head of the parade, just after the color guard and VIPs, will be the Mountain Home High School Marching Band, directed by Jerry Tippetts.
"Everyone in the parade has to remember that the parade has to look and be great from the front entry to the list," said Parade Chairwoman Sue Gross, who is constantly bombarded with special consideration requests.
"Everyone wants to be in the first part of the parade, for a lot of great reasons -- younger kids, older people, dogs on floats, they have a booth to man, they could run out of gas, vehicles get too hot -- but to keep people watching the parade they have to see there are more fun and interesting entries back there coming down the street. The goal in a parade is there is always something coming to wait for and enjoy to the very end."
Parade entries will compete in a number of award categories, including the People's Choice Award, which is voted upon by the public from among float entries that are on display after the parade on N. 10th East Street, adjacent to Carl Miller Park.
Following the parade the Chamber of Commerce will offer its annual free beef barbecue and crowds can enjoy over 100 vendors that fill Carl Miller Park. AFAD raffle drawings also are held throughout the afternoon. Winners need not be present. Tickets can be purchased in the park the day of the event.
Entertainment in the park also is provided during the afternoon, although the schedule of who will appear has not yet been announced.