MURFREESBORO, TN--The unique motorless
parade, one of the hottest events at the Uncle Dave Macon Days
Festival will start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2008.
The old-time music and dance festival
takes place in Cannonsburgh, an authentic pioneer village from
July 11-13, 2008. Previously, the parade took place around 1:00
p.m., usually the hottest part of the day.
Organizers felt that the parade
could be better enjoyed at a cooler time in the morning. The parade
will start at the Central Middle School and come down historic
East Main Street at 10:00 a.m. and will end at Cannonsburgh. Everyone
can relax under the massive shade trees that line the parade route
to watch one of America's premier "Motorless" parades
go by.
The unique event began under the
watchful eyes of the late John Blankenship and the late Forrest
Pascal. Their goal was to start a motorless parade. The parade
began because Uncle Dave Macon's mule transportation company was
put out of business by gas-powered engines.
Earl Lamb and Jimmy Francis,
parade coordinator, will provide the pony and buggy that will
carry Jesse McReynolds, the 2008 Heritage Award Winner. Bobby
Osborne will serve as Grand
Marshal for the parade.
The parade has several competitions
for its entrants. Fifty-dollar premiums will be given to the best
entry in each of these categories: Carriages, Wagons, Mounted
Riders, and Junior Mounted Riders.
Applications include a Coggins
Disease test form for all applicants to return for proof of vaccination
before entering the parade.
