Pat Rady marshal for Fair parade slated July 17

Sunday, July 5, 2015
Pat Rady

As it continues to prepare for the upcoming Putnam County 4-H Fair, the Fair Parade Committee is planning another kickoff event celebrating the 4-H tradition with the annual parade set for Friday evening, July 17.

This year's theme is "Cruisin' to the Fair."

The grand marshal of the 2015 Putnam County Fair Parade will be Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Rady, who heads the Cloverdale High School basketball program and is second all-time in Indiana high school basketball victories (761 in 51 seasons), trailing only Jack Butcher of Loogootee fame.

Rady, a 1959 Roachdale High School graduate who began his varsity coaching career at Bainbridge High School in 1964-65, has also coached at Southmont, Winchester, Shelbyville and Terre Haute South.

The parade is scheduled to depart the point at Wood and Washington streets in Greencastle at 6:30 p.m., making its way to the reviewing stand downtown on the lawn of the Masonic Temple before 7 p.m.

Line up and registration for parade entries will be at the GHS parking lot.

Other areas for staging will be: Robe-Ann Park; Wood Street; Dairy Castle and Stadium Drive, however all entries are required to check in at the registration area at the GHS parking lot located along Percy L. Julian Drive or report to designated areas as assigned by the committee.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has approved the rerouting of U.S. 231 traffic during the parade. Roads along the parade route will close at 5 p.m. with traffic control provided by local law enforcement and City of Greencastle Department of Public Works employees. Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin will be coordinating the assistance of law enforcement.

Traffic traveling through Greencastle on U.S. 231 will be routed along Jackson Street and Veterans Memorial Highway between 5 and 8 p.m.

At the reviewing stand set up at the Greencastle Masonic Lodge, Doug Wokoun will be the parade master of ceremonies.

The route will follow Washington Street to the square, passing the reviewing stand in front of the Masonic Temple just east of Vine Street where Wokoun will be announcing the participants as they pass.

Units will then proceed to the square, either continuing north on Indiana Street and on to the fairgrounds or turning back east on Franklin Street to return to the staging area.

The City of Greencastle approved the Parade Committee's request to:

--- Close Washington Street (downtown) at the intersection of U.S. 231/Jackson Street at 5 p.m.

-- Close Washington Street at the intersection of Wood Street, Washington Street and Indianapolis Road (The Point) at 5 p.m.

-- Close Washington at the intersection of Percy L Julian Drive at 4 p.m. to allow parade organizers to park the big rigs, tractors, etc. on Washington Street since they are too big for the parking lots.

-- Close Stadium Drive, Gardenside Drive, Tennessee Street-and all other necessary streets at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Fair Parade Committee is looking for individuals, clubs and organizations to "Cruisin' on in" with their entries.

"We never have enough participants and hope people will put on their creative hats to highlight this year's theme," Parade Committee Chairman Nancy Michael said. "Everyone has something to show off, so bring out your stuff."

Michael would like to receive notification of entries by Monday, July 13 in order to assure a well-coordinated effort. Participants can submit their entries electronically by visiting www.putcofair.org.

A competitive float competition is scheduled for two divisions, Youth and Adult. Competitive entries are limited to theme-oriented floats exhibited by a Putnam County organization. Winners of each division will be awarded monetary prizes for first, second and third places.

While construction has been ongoing in Greencastle, it will not affect the parade. The only area under construction near the parade is Vine Street.

For questions about entering the parade, persons may contact Michael at 720-1974, via email at nmichael04@yahoo.com or send her a message via Facebook.

"We ask that observers set up their chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities and to be safe and cautious during the parade," Michael noted. "Immediately after the parade, we have a group of volunteers that have generously agreed to help with clean up. We also encourage individuals and participants to clean up their own areas to keep lawns and our roadways clean."

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