NEWS RELEASE          For release Mar. 14, 2008

COME JOIN THE PARADE!

Southampton, Ont., March 14, 2008 -- Plans are well under way for the festivities celebrating Southampton's 150th anniversary on Aug. 14-17 weekend. One of the highlights is the 150th Anniversary Parade on Saturday morning, Aug. 16. Registration is now open for the parade, and any groups can join with a float or band entry.

"Just five months left before the big 150th celebrations. We're planning a fantastic parade, and inviting floats and bands to take part," says parade committee member Bob Cartwright. "We have four bands booked and space is filling up. So we invite you to help us make the parade a resounding success. We need enthusiastic people to take part with floats, bands, cars, horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, etc."

Committee member Stephen McMillan added, "We've got some major bands lined up. Our community band led by Kent Boys will be there. The parade will finish with an impressive band from Cambridge, the Preston Scout House Band (www.scouthouseband.com), with 70 members marching. We have the support of the Southampton Snowmobile Club, and there'll be antique car, tractor and miscellaneous vehicle shows. The Fire Department will have new and old fire trucks parked outside the fire station, where the parade ends."

Here's the route, so you can plan the best view of the parade. Starting at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, the parade heads from Anglesia St. and High St., westward on High St. to Huron St., then south to Palmerson St., and east to Jubilee Park.

If your group, organization or business would like to join the parade, just submit the Registration Form at www.familyhelper.net/150/parade, or get the form from one of the committee members.

Committee member Bob Cartwright explained, "We want entries tied to our theme of "Then and Now" -- reflecting our 150 years of history, and looking at the present and into the future." He added, "And don't forget, all floats and parade entries must be decorated. There are prizes for the top three entries. The judges will be looking for entries in keeping with our theme, and lots of enthusiasm!"

If you have any questions, just contact one of us:
Bob Cartwright, 519-797-5510, bobcartwright@bmts.com
Stephen McMillan, 519-797-1177, spmcmillan@bmts.com
Jeff Scott, 519-797-3416, rankinroader@sympatico.ca

For more about Southampton's 150th Anniversary, visit www.saugeenshores.ca/southampton150.