The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is nearly three weeks away and entries are needed for those who are interested in having a float in the parade.
People should get a registration form from the Warsaw Community Development Corp. website at warsawcdc.org
Those who enter a float are encouraged to have patriotic and 9/11-themed floats. Political advertising on floats is discouraged. Businesses will be allowed to advertise on the floats. Motorcyclists and walkers also can enter to be in the parade.
The parade is titled “A Celebration of America: 10 Years After.”
Mike Cox and Cathy Reed, 9/11 committee co-chairs, will lead the parade. The parade will feature local law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel.
Cruisin’ Hoosiers Car Club will have their cars in the parade, and there will be antique farm equipment in the parade.
Parade line-up begins at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at the entrance to Boggs Addition.
The parade will begin at 3 p.m. and the route will proceed east on Center Street, north on Indiana Street, and go to Canal Street and end at the 9/11 Memorial in Central Park. The parade will be approximately 20 minutes.
A 2011 Patriotic Day Remembrance Ceremony is being planned at the Kosciusko County 9/11 Memorial immediately following the parade that will be outside Center Lake Pavilion.
Cox said it is important to have a parade and ceremony to honor the lives lost during 9/11.
“If we forget history and don’t pay attention to it, it will repeat and the amount of giving and caring that was exhibited after the tragedies is something that needs to be honored,” Cox said. “People came together and consoled each other and that shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Cox said during the ceremony, Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management director, and Brad Kellar, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputy, will sing patriotic songs.
Local musicians Ivory West will sing the National Anthem, and Kevin Kyle will play the guitar.
American Red Cross Battle of the Badges blood drive winners will be announced.
Ken Locke, Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association director, will announce the 9/11 essay contest winners.
Center Street residents and downtown businesses are encouraged to hang flags on the Sept. 11 weekend.
