64th Annual Sparta Rotary Parade and the 5th Annual Homefest Field Show Competition
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[On September 27, 2008, Sparta will become the center point for bands coming from the north, south, east and west to participate in the 64th Annual Sparta Rotary Parade and the 5th Annual Homefest Field Show Competition sponsored by the Sparta Rotary Club and the SHS Marching Bulldogs.
The 2008 Sparta Rotary Club Parade theme is "Make Dreams Real." This is also the theme for Rotary International for 2008.
For community members who want to participate in the Parade, Float applications can be picked up from Shirley Reimer at Sparta City Hall or from Molly Hamilton and the Sparta Chamber of Commerce Office. The Float applications need to be returned either to Shirley or Molly by September 25; organizers need this information to determine Float classifications for judging. Last minute float entries will be accepted into the Parade but they will not be judged.
Float categories are: Non-Commercial, Mini, Commercial Homemade, and Commercial.
Floats will be judged on the following: Originality, usage of the Parade Theme, Original Design and use of materials, Creativity, and purposeful use of people on the float. Float awards are as follows: 1st place Non-Commercial - $150.00; 2nd place Non-Commercial - $100.00; 1st place Mini- $100.00; 2nd place Mini- $75.00; 1st Place Homemade - $150.00; 2nd place Homemade - $100.00; 1st place Commercial - $150.00 and 2nd place Commercial - $100.00.
The Parade line up begins at the SHS Parking lot at 11 AM. The Parade will step off at 1:00 PM. The Parade route will leave Sparta HS, go down North St. Louis Street turning left on Broadway [Route 154], turning left on Market [Route 4] on down to Hood Ave, returning to SHS.
Some of the Parade Bands participating include SHS Marching Bulldogs, Sparta Lincoln Middle School, Trico HS, Columbia HS, Edwardsville HS, Greenville HS, Salem HS, Centralia, Belleville West, Hazelwood East, Carbondale, Massac County, Herrin HS, Vienna HS, Carlyle HS, Cobden HS, Lebanon HS, Vienna JH, Harrisburg JH, and Murphysboro JH, There are still several other bands to confirm their participation in the Parade portion of the event.
The Parade Awards Ceremony will take place at SHS following the end of the parade. The Parade Awards Ceremony will offer several surprises for those in attendance along with the band placement.
The 5th Annual Homefest Field Show is sponsored by the Sparta Rotary Club and the SHS Marching Bulldogs. Opening Ceremonies will begin around 3:45 PM. Gate prices for the Homefest Field Show are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for students.
For the Homefest Field Show Competition, the following bands have confirmed that they will take the field to compete: Edwardsville, 2007 Home-fest Grand Champions, Hazelwood East, Salem HS, Centralia HS, Belleville West, Carbondale HS, Massac County HS, Johnston City HS; organizers are waiting for an additional seven other bands to confirm.
For any additional information, contact Neil Schoeneberg @ 618-443-6007.