Parade to roll Saturday afternoon

By Donnie A. Lucas

An special anniversary edition of the Ft. Griffin Fandangle Parade will rumble down Main Street, wind around the Courthouse and come by for a second pass Saturday, with the recently restored calliope leading the way.

Parade organizers are hoping for the largest number of entries in recent years, complete with a set of celebrity judges including Red Steagall, Tim Long, Rep. Jodey Arrington, Jimbo and Terri Calhoun, and Denney Faith.

“We are excited about the parade this year,” co-chairman Megaen Birdwell said. “On Monday we had 40 registered entries, and I know there are several more who have committed to have a float or to enter who haven’t filled out the entry online or at the office yet.”

Birdwell added that there is still time to enter, with the deadline set for Friday, June 16. The entry form is online at www.fandangle.org, or can be filled out in person at the Fandangle office, which is open 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.

“We need to have a written form to gather the information about each entry including the names of those involved so they can be announced from the judge’s stand as they pass by,” Birdwell said.

The categories that will be awarded cash prizes this year include Best Fandangle Theme, Best Horse Drawn, Best Float, Best Classic/Antique Vehicle, Best Individual/Group Entry, and Best Overall Entry.

The parade committee has selected Johnny Musselman to serve as the Parade Marshal for the 85th anniversary parade.

“Since Johnny was instrumental in reviving the show in the early 1960s after a break of several years, we felt he would be the obvious choice to serve as the Parade Marshall,” Birdwell said. “We want to celebrate those who were integral in helping to keep the show going in the past, especially since this is an anniversary year.”

She added that she can organize a theme float from one or more of the scenes in the Fandangle quickly if a sponsor steps up.

“We have plenty of ideas if someone wants to enter but doesn’t know exactly what to enter,” she said. “Just contact me or one of the other parade committee members, and we can get it going.”

Expected to make an appearance on one of the floats are members of the 2AD1 State Football Championship team.

Birdwell said that Brittney Harmon has joined the parade committee and is working hard to increase the number of entries. Other members of the committee are John and Lorna Ayers, and Shannon Leech.

Anyone interested in entering a float or riding on one that is being planned can contact Harmon by email: bwinters0@yahoo.com or leave a message at the Fandangle office to be contacted by a committee member. The office phone is 325-762-3838.

The two previously announced celebrity judges already committed to attend the parade are Texas icon Red Steagall, an American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer who focuses on American Western and country music, and Tim Long, president of Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards at Ft. Worth.

U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington joined the panel this week. He will also be available to meet with constituents after the parade at the Jackson Warehouse.

Also on the judges stand will be Jimbo and Terri Calhoun and Denney Faith.

Winners will be announced at the Prairie Theater shortly before the start of Saturday evening’s performance.

Parade entrants are asked to line up on Griffin Road near Nancy Smith Elementary at 4:00 p.m.. Each entrant should check in with a parade official to be assigned a parade number sign and to be given instructions on where to line up.

Committee members who will be present for the check-in are Birdwell, Shannon Leech, and John Ayers.

“Just look for one of us, and we will find you a place,” Birdwell said. “We will also be going around on golf carts to make sure everyone has checked in and is lined up correctly.”

The parade committee is looking for more sponsors to help fund the prizes and trophies.

“We still need more sponsors,” she said. “So far we only have three, and we need at least three more.”

Anyone wanting to help sponsor the parade should contact the Fandangle office at  325-762-3838.