Clarkston area residents have another reason to stay in town Labor Day weekend. The 66th annual Clarkston Rotary sponsored Labor Day parade.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will be the grand marshal of the event, set to kick off at 10 a.m.
Parade Chair Judy Livingston said those planning on participating in the event should register by 8 a.m. at Renaissance High School, the starting point for the parade.
‘You do have people that sign up at the last minute…It’s unreal trying to get people organized,? said Livingston, who marks her debut as the head for the event.
‘I am a little nervous, but everything will go fine,? Livingston said.
Livingston said there are usually between 50-60 entries into the parade. There will be three plaques to be awarded this year, one for best theme, one President’s award picked by rotary President Time Everhard and another award for the best float.
‘You get everything from cheerleaders to Spraymasters,? Livingston said.
The route goes from Renaissance High School, down Church Street to Main Street. The path continues north to Miller Road and ends at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church.
Livingston said Patterson’s appointment was based on his high-ranking position and his longtime residency in the community.
‘We thought it would be an honor to have him. I think it’s great,? Livingston said.
Joel DeLong, co-chair for the event and previous chairperson of the event, is backing up Livingston this year.
‘It’s steeped in tradition. We like to see as many people as we can at the parade,? DeLong said.
‘We think Clarkston has that small-town atmosphere and we want to perpetuate that,? he added.
DeLong said thus far there are more than 40 entries for the parade. He attributes the difference in participation figures to people trying to wait and see what the weather will be like prior to registering.
‘We have a lot of representation from a lot of different groups in the community,? DeLong said.
The Rotary Club has a committee of eight dedicated to organizing the event. The group also has a float in the paradeand will also have several clowns on hand, some riding in antique miniature cars and others walking.
‘It will add a little bit more enjoyment for the kids’we might be able to add another dimension to the parade that we’ve been missing,? DeLong said. ‘We’ve got a lot of enthusiasm for that.?
Clarkston Rotarian Jim Tedder will be the master of ceremonies for the parade.
Interested parties can download an entry form from the group’s Web site at http://www.clarkstonrotary.org. Political candidates are being asked for a $50 donation with their involvement in the parade.