The Princeton Optimist Club’s Black Patch Parade was a tremendous success on Friday afternoon.
Crowds lined both sides of Main Street in Princeton, and the Butler parking lot was packed with parade participants.
Optimist Club member Roy Gene Rogers assisted in organizing the parade participants in the Butler parking lot before the procession began down Main Street. He was pleased with the impressive turnout.
click to download audioMember Wesley Curtis was equally pleased with the turnout of parade participants and mentioned that they are all set for the festival on Saturday.
click to download audioThis year’s parade featured co-Grand Marshals 4-H Agent Rhonda Jewell and lifelong resident George Pettit, who has been deeply involved in agriculture and the FFA. Both Jewell and Pettit rode in separate mule-drawn wagons and expressed their honor at being chosen to serve as the grand marshals for the Black Patch Parade.
click to download audioCaldwell County High School Band Director Mason Henry said they had a full crew participating in the parade.
This year, a new group of residents and their dogs participated in the parade, inspired by an idea from Princeton City Clerk Julie Poole and Caldwell County Jail Adminstrator Angela Cotton to help raise funds for the Caldwell County Animal Shelter. They also came up with the group’s theme for the parade.
click to download audioPoole is already looking ahead and making plans for the upcoming Christmas Parade.
Following the parade, Optimist Club member George Kilgore expressed their excitement about the turnout and shared their anticipation for the festival on Saturday.
click to download audioRogers noted that the weather forecast for the Black Patch Festival looks great, with temperatures expected to be in the 70s. He mentioned that the festival will feature 100 booths, while Art on Main will have 35 to 40 tents. In addition, there are numerous activities planned for both kids and adults to enjoy at the festival.
The Black Patch Parade was broadcast live by Tess Cowan on WPKY 103.3 FM and wpkyonline.com. If you can’t attend the festival on Saturday, Tess will be broadcasting live on WPKY from 10 AM until 1:00 PM.
