NEWS RELEASE          For release June 25, 2008

Huge parade down High Street

Southampton, Ont., June 25, 2008 -- Saturday morning, Aug. 16, 2008, will be unforgettable as High Street fills with a massive parade on the theme of "Then and Now -- reflecting our 150 years of history, looking at the present and into the future."

There will be marching bands and 42 floats in the "parade to remember". Organizer Bob Cartwright and his volunteers have lined up "six marching bands, including our community band led by Kent Boys, floats, horse-drawn carriages, decorated bicycles, and antique cars and trucks. The parade will finish with the 70-strong Preston Scout House Band."

The contingent of 42 floats includes local service clubs, fire, police, ambulance, mayors, teachers, council and Cham-Bettes, all with past and present members, in keeping with the theme of "Then and Now".

Floats will entertain everyone, young and old: there'll be horses, mules, old bikes, including a Penny Farthing, and newly decorated ones from the Bicycle Decorating Contest. The parade will have a good variety of antique (Then) and muscle cars (Now).

The 150th Anniversary Parade kicks off at 10:15 am at the corner of High and Grenville Streets. It heads west on High Street, turns south at Grosvenor, then east along Palmerston, ending at Victoria Street. The Fire Department will have new and old fire trucks parked outside the fire station, where the parade ends.

Six bands will provide a variety of music and marching styles:
Fergus Brass Band
Fergus Pipe Band
Kincardine Brass Band
Owen Sound & District Pipes & Drums
Preston Scout House Alumni Band
Southampton's G.C. Huston Community Band