Dress in red, but you'll have to do it in layers, with snow showers and temperatures in the 40's predicted. The cold weather doesn't seem to bother fans, who still line the parade routeregardless of the forecast for the 94th annualFindlay Market Opening Day Parade.
The parade steps off at noon, an hour earlier than last year. Organizers are trying to avoid making people late for the 4:10 p.m. game. Chairman Neil Luken says he had to eliminate about 50 entries so the parade could be held to two hours.
According to Luken, the parade is still very large with 190 entries, including 12 high school bands.
"Because of the cutbacks in the size of the parade we're expecting people with a lot more elaborate floats."
Big Red Machine left fielder George Foster will kick off the parade as the Grand Marshal. He'll be followed by two honorary Grand Marshals.
- S. Allen Hartley, an injured Army helicopter pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan who now lives in Fairfield.
- John Prazynski, father of Marine LCpl Taylor Prazynski who was killed in May 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a 2003 graduate of Fairfield High School.
A few years ago the Cincinnati Reds began a tradition of allowing active players to participate. Mat Latos and Bronson Arroyo will be waving to the crowd as they pass by.
Stay tuned for more pictures and extensive coverage of the parade and the game later today on WVXU.
