Agricultural theme chosen for fair parade

The theme for this year's Putnam County 4-H Fair Parade is "Agriculture -- Heart of the U.S.A."

Parade chair Dorothy Edwards said the committee has been asking for local farm families to participate in the parade.

"We've been trying to get some of the older farmers to come be in the parade," she said.

This year's parade grand marshal will be Kevin Orpurt, weatherman with Terre Haute television station WTHI Channel 10. Jinsie Bingham will handle emcee duties.

Although the theme is agriculture, all sorts of entries are welcome.

"We have lots of horses, or course," Edwards, who is co-chairing the parade with Cheryl Spencer, said. "But we're willing to have anything anybody wants. We welcome antique trucks and cars, anything."

The parade committee is also looking for groups or organizations to march or enter floats in the parade.

"We hope to have a lot more floats this year," Edwards said.

The parade is slated for July 17 at 6:30 p.m. Floats will need to be at the east side of the Greencastle High School parking lot by 4:30 p.m. (participants should enter the lot from Percy Julian Drive). Float judging will begin at 5 p.m.

Floats will be moved into place for the parade at 6 p.m.

Floats should be decorated in keeping with the theme of the parade and can be exhibited by any community, township or county organization from Putnam County. Floats will be separated into three divisions: Youth, adult and non-competitive.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place floats.

For more information, call 653-3885 or 653-5339.