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Cloverdale native to serve as parade's grand marshal
CLOVERDALE -- A familiar face will be featured in Cloverdale's Masquerade Parade during the inaugural Cloverween event.
The Cloverdale Main Street, Cloverdale Action Committee and Cloverdale Community School Corporation are joining forces for the Saturday, Oct. 24 Cloverween event. Activities are planned throughout the day, including the Masquerade Parade at 1 p.m. featuring Cloverdale native Lita Sandy as grand marshal.
Sandy and her husband, Brad, will be dressed in costume while riding in the parade. She added the dance studio performers will also be following behind dressed as zombies with a "Thriller" routine planned for the route.
Sandy taught dance at the Nashville Studio of Dance and Modeling in Tennessee before opening the local Dance Workshop in her parents' garage. The successful venture led to a student, Crystal Sutherlin, going on to be a National Dance Competition champion, with many more
prosperous students to follow.
The success continued with two of Sandy's dance groups performing all over the state of Indiana. In the 1980s, the groups "Heartbreak Express" and "Sensations" were featured in halftime shows for the Pacers, with the former being named Indiana Pacer Sweethearts.
While Sandy currently teaches yoga and Zumba classes, her daughter Tara Gardner has continued the legacy with the Dance Workshop in Greencastle.
She has continued to be active in the community with the Chamber of Commerce and led the reorganization of the Clothe-a-Child program. She later had help with parents and staff at Dance Workshop, members of the Lions Club and First Financial Bank to ensure local families have necessities.
Sandy and Dance Workshop also assist with raising money for breast cancer, Putnam County Food Pantry, Children's Organ Transplant Association and Dancing with the Putnam County Stars.
She is a Cloverdale High School graduate and life-long resident of Cloverdale. She is married to Cloverdale Elementary Principal Brad Sandy. She has a son, Taulbee Jackson, and wife Wendy, and daughter Tara Gardner, and husband Caine.
While she is excited to be a part of the celebration to bring the town together, she does not feel as though she warrants the recognition.
"I don't know that I deserve it," Sandy said. "There are a lot of people in this town that do good things in the community ... I don't do anything alone. I've got a lot of help."
Main Street President Kay Gedert said entries are being sought for the Masquerade Parade to show off the people and businesses of Cloverdale. Floats, cars, fire and police vehicles are invited to participate in the parade.
Those who attend the parade are encouraged to do so in costume to continue the Halloween-themed spirit.
More than 20 vendors have registered to set up at Cloverdale High School's parking lot from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Several vendors will feature handmade items, including goat's milk soaps and lotions, Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed items, photography, knikknacks, American Girl doll clothes and more.
Gedert said the goal is to have local vendors sign up for the free spaces with homemade crafts. She stressed the spaces are free the first year because the goal is not to make money, but promote the town. Although, next year if a fee is considered it will be to purchase advertising for the Cloverween event.
Glen Furr Insurance Agency is sponsoring a series of live entertainment throughout the day. Entertainment will start at 11:30 a.m. with Upward Journey, followed by comedian Jeff Davis at 1:30 p.m., Chris Wurster at 2 p.m., Rockology at 3 p.m. and Saturday Shoes at 4:30 p.m.
Cloverdale High School students will be hosting an old-fashioned carnival event in the gym from 1-6 p.m., which will include a duck pond and ring toss games.
The carnival-themed program will benefit high school groups and organizations, such as student council, prom committee, athletic groups and more.
In addition, Endeavour Communications will be sponsoring a Monster Dash 5K run and walk, starting at the school at 8 a.m. and the free outdoor showing of "Beetlejuice" at dusk at the high school football field.
The Halloween-themed events will wrap up with the Masquerade Ball from 8 p.m. to midnight at the American Legion with a $5 admission fee.
For more information about the event, sign up for the parade or vendor space or to volunteer, contact Gedert at 721-6245 or send information to Cloverdale Main Street at P.O. Box 68, Cloverdale, IN.
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