AFAD parade seeks entries, volunteers

Final plans are coming together for the 51st annual Air Force Appreciation Day in Mountain Home.

The huge community party, honoring the men and women at the airbase and in the armed forces of the United States, will be held Sept. 10.

The event features the state's largest parade, and AFAD Parade Chairman Sue Gross is encouraging all areas businesses, civic groups, churches and even individuals to submit entries to the parade.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. on Aug. 26. The theme of this year's parade is "Heroes Surround Us."

"Every (local) business ought to be represented," she said, "and have a float in the parade and entered in the static display," where the public votes on the people's choice award, one of the dozens of awards handed out in various categories for parade entries.

Every year the Shriners bring in a long list of entries from throughout Idaho, and this year the local American Legion posts are working to add entries from Legion posts from all over southern Idaho.

The airbase contributes entries from each of its squadrons, including the Republic of Singapore squadron, "which has really gotten into it and always has a great entry," Gross said.

The 25th Army Band will help lead off the parade and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform in Carl Miller Park during the activities there that afternoon that follow the parade.

Gross said she needs volunteers to help with the parade. "It's a fun, hectic job," she said. Anyone wanting to volunteer, or who wants additional information about the parade, can contact her at 587-2173.

Events actually begin the night before AFAD, with the annual corn shucking to prepare the corn for Saturday's free barbecue in the park. The public is invited to take part.

At the same time, the annual Commander's Social is held in Carl Miller Park that Friday night, as well as the AFAD Fun Run/Walk. Anyone interested in taking part in the run/walk event can contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 587-4334 for more information.

Saturday, Sept. 10, opens with an A-10 flyover by the Idaho National Guard at 10 a.m., kicking off the parade, which typically has more than 300 floats and vehicles and more than 2,200 participants that wind their way from Paul's Market through downtown to Carl Miller Park.

In the park, more than 135 vendors set up booths, offering everything from food to arts and crafts to games.

The Chamber of Commerce, through its Air Force Appreciation Day Committee, offers a free beef barbecue beginning as soon as the parade ends, roughly around noon.

Carl Miller Park is usually filled to capacity throughout the rest of the afternoon as citizens enjoy the entertainment and activities available.

During the afternoon events the Chamber begins raffling off a number of items donated by local businesses.

AFAD raffle tickets are on sale now at the Chamber of Commerce office, the Mountain Home News, city all, LaMode Cleaners, Home Federal, Idaho Independent Bank and DeMeyer Furniture. The tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

Raffle prizes include a $1,500 shopping spree from DeMeyer Furniture, a $1,000 savings bond from Home Federal Savings and Loan, two $250 cash prizes, a 43-inch flat screen HDTV, a Craftsman four-tool combo kit from Sears, a natural gas barbecue from Intermountain Gas, a set of luggage from Brenda's Travel Service, and a blue-ray player.