OAK RIDGE, TN — The 2012 Scarboro Alumni Association first parade included some 30 participants and there were approximately 40 vendors at the Fun Day Event. The 2014 Parade and Events Committee’s goal is to double participation and solicits the support from citizens of Oak Ridge.
Parade participants, vendors, and volunteers are needed for the Saturday, July 26, 2014 Scarboro Alumni Association events. Parade participants are required to complete a parade participant form identifying the name of each organization or individual who plans on participating in the parade. Indicate whether the participant will be walking, entering a float, and/or performing a talent. Additionally, contact, information should be included on your application for participation.
Participants in the parade are required to provide their own signage and must be at the Grey Strange Baseball Field on Wilberforce Road at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, July 26th. Departure time for the parade is 9:00 a.m. The route will begin at Grey Strang Baseball Field, turning left on Benedict Avenue, staying on Benedict Avenue (passing side streets Bennet Lane, Bettis Lane, Bethune Circle, and Spellman Avenue), right onto Dillard (passing Fisk Avenue), right on Wilberforce (passing Wilberforce on left and Houston) ending at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the parking lot, ending with prayer kicking off the event in an effort to promote continued healing for the community.
To date, parade participants include praise dance teams, rapping performer, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Knoxville Prestige Motorcycle Team, Buffalo Soldiers Horse Team, Brenda Jones, Scarboro Alumni Association, Oak Ridge/Anderson County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Little Ms and Little Mr. Scarboro, Class of 1971 c/o Ruby Henderson, City of Oak Ridge Fire Department, City of Oak Ridge Fire Department, and representatives from Scarboro Elementary/Scarboro High School.
The Fun Day Event will begin Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. All vendors are encouraged to participate. The Oak Ridge/Anderson County NAACP is coordinating an effort along with the Scarboro Alumni Association to solicit area community colleges, city and governmental agencies, along with health agencies to provide information and resources. There is no cost to display information, however contributions are appreciated to support scholarship efforts. There is a fee, however for any vendors selling food, clothing, apparel, etc. The cost is $50.00. The fee can be paid by cashiers check or money order, no checks are allowed. You may mail your vendor form and fee to: Scarboro Elementary School Alumni Association, c/o Brenda Jones, Treasurer, 209 Fisk Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 or to any Scarboro Alumni Association Member. Vendors are required to provide their own signage, table covering, and electricity. Set up for vendors is 8:00 a.m. and tear down is 4:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed for both events. Please contact Rose Weaver at (865) 924-2987 or e-mail rs_wvr@yahoo.com.
Deadline for participating in the parade and being a vendor has been extended to June 23, 2014. Both events will be held rain or shine.
The Scarboro Alumni Association is a group of Scarboro residents who began planning a biennial reunion where past and current residents plan reunion activities for persons who grew up in the Scarboro community in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Scarboro was the designated community for Blacks during the 50's and 60's. The mission of the association is to restore, revitalize, and rebuild the community. To empower youth to become responsible citizens and stewards of the community through community service projects and support services. To affirm the integrity of the neighborhood in an effort to enhance individual self-worth.
