Here comes the parade
Highlighting the 29th Annual Farragut Independence Day Parade includes representation from Delta Airlines, Model A Ford cars and local sports radio personality Jeff Jacoby, with Farragut ties, as Grand Marshal.
“What I hear, this has become a tradition for a lot of families,” Sue Stuhl, Farragut Parks and Leisure Services director, said about the parade and its 95 entries, which first gathers in Farragut High School parking lot before making their way down Lendon Welch Way to its intersection with Kingston Pike. The parade begins there at 9:30 a.m., Monday, July 4.
“We have a lot families and friends and groups that actually make a picnic, bring tables and chairs and really make a little party,” Stuhl said. “That’s how they kick off their Independence Day celebration.”
The parade, in keeping with tradition, turns west on Kingston Pike and goes 1.2 miles — with thousands of family members expected to be lined on the north and south sides of the Pike — and ends in Farragut Towne Square (location of former Ingles market) sometime before noon.
Among the interesting entries, “We do have the Tennessee Valley Model A Club, looks like eight original Model A Ford cars, 1928 to 1931. … I think that’s an interesting entry,” Stuhl said. “We have a lot of businesses this year, which is great. We love having our businesses being showcased in the parade.”
Weather permitting, Knox County Sheriff’s Office helicopters — in keeping with recent tradition — are scheduled to fly over the parade route, Stuhl said.
Various entry representatives are expected to give out “toys and candy and fun things” to children along the route.
As a safety measure, Stuhl said, “My biggest request to everyone, especially parents of small children, is to please make sure that the kids don’t run out into the streets” to get the candy and toys. “The entries will come to the side to hand those out.”
Though Stuhl said the parade would go on “rain or shine,” she added, “If there’s thunder and lightning and it’s threatening, we may have a delay.”
Should thunder and lightning be forecasted during the parade, Stuhl advised parade-goers to “watch the town of Farragut and Parks and Leisure Services Facebook and Twitter accounts, because we will be posting on those.”
Exact order of entries in the parade will be posted at www.townoffarragut.org/parade by 5 p.m., “the Friday before, July 1,” Stuhl said.
For more information, visit the Town parade site or call Parks and Leisure Services department at 865-218-3375.
