The Forney Community Parade took place on a sunny morning in historic downtown on Saturday, October 20. An estimated crowd of 2,000 people lined up on Bois D'Arc, Main Street, and Center Street to enjoy Forney's biggest parade yet.
The Forney Community Parade took place on a sunny morning in historic downtown on Saturday, October 20. An estimated crowd of 2,000 people lined up on Bois D'Arc, Main Street, and Center Street to enjoy Forney's biggest parade yet.
The Community Parade had over 100 floats this year, each entry paid $10 and all of the money is being donated to the Forney Area United Way. Nothing seems to bring a community together like a parade, and “Unity” was the goal on Saturday.
The Forney High School Jackrabbits and the North Forney High School Falcons football teams will be playing each other for the first time on Friday, October 26 at City Bank Stadium. The game has been dubbed the Unity Bowl. Rather than have a bitter cross town rivalry between FHS and NFHS, the school district is hoping for a friendly competition that will take place every year between the now interdivision rivals.
Though there was a sea of black and gold wearing parade watchers, there was also an ample number of those sporting blue, white, and black as well. Both schools felt the love and support of the community. Children of all ages waited eagerly for the parade to begin, in hopes of catching candy being thrown from the floats.
Upcoming 2012 Fall and Winter community events for Forney, Texas
The parade ran for 90 minutes, far longer than when Vickey Rozell began coming to the parade 43 years ago. She recalled that her first Forney parade lasted all of five minutes. Forney has grown significantly since then and the parade has grown with it. The beginning of the parade was kicked off by a Forney PD motorcycle officer with sirens blaring, followed by an ROTC group bearing the United States and Texas flags. Right behind them came a Forney Fire Department truck, two fire engines, and an antique FFD engine carrying City Council members.
D.D. McGee was the Grand Marshall for this years parade, and both the Falcons and Jackrabbits Freshman, JV, and Varsity football teams came through to loud cheers. The crowd was treated to the sounds of the NFHS Marching Band drummers as the band passed by. Twenty minutes later the large contingent of FHS band members, flag bearers, and High Steppers passed by with horns playing, getting a great response from the crowd. Both high school bands showed just how many talented kids live in Forney and represented their high schools admirably.
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The Lions Club announced each parade float and vehicle as they approached Bois D'Arc and Main Street. One of the fun filled floats at the Community Parade was the Unity Donut float from The Hole Thing Donuts. The giant donut was made in the colors of FHS and NFHS, and co-owner Katie Vrana danced around and encouraged the parade watchers to make a giant “O” shaped donut hole with their arms. Local restaurants also sent mascots to participate on floats, including Ronald McDonald and the Whataburger “Whataguy” mascot.
Cheerleaders, local youth sports teams, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Pink Out Forney, BMX riders, and a number of local politicians and businesses, including inForney.com, participated in the fun parade. Judging by the number of smiles on the faces of those who attended the event and those who took part in the event, the sense of community that Forney has always had is still very much intact.
Float winners included: Most Original Float won by the Forney Youth Football Red Raiders team, who had a wonderful oversized Radio Flyer wagon as their float.
The First Place winning float went to the North Forney High School Varsity Football Club and second place was awarded to Forney High School's FFA group. Third place went to the Forney Youth Football Association's Red Raiders cheerleading squad.
More parade photos available at Big Shots Photography, click HERE.