Click Here to View More Photos from the Parade Past Parade Photos Jackson County Rose Parade Presented by NEW Family-style Party in the Park immediately following the Rose Parade at Ella Sharp Park! Click on "Party in the Park" for details! When: Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. Where: Jackson NEW Parade Route: S. Jackson to Greenwood to Fourth Street ending at the Middle School at Parkside. Staging on W. Wesley/W. Franklin/Mason (starting at 11:00 a.m.) Grand Marshal & Parade Marshal: This year's Grand Marshal and Parade Marshal were decided upon by the Jackson community. The public had the opportunity to nominate people they thought should be recognized for their dedication to Jackson County and the two people chosen are wonderful examples of what giving back to a community is all about. We are proud to announce the following indivduals have accepted the positions of Grand Marshal and Parade Marshal for the 2008 Rose Parade. Grand Marshal Lynne Loftis Lynne recently retired as Executive Director of the Ella Sharp Museum. She worked at the Museum for 34 years and has made huge contributions to Jackson through her dedication to to preserving the history of Jackson and giving back to the community. Lynne plans to continue her commitment through volunteering. Parade Marshal Ric Walton The Walton family has had roots in the Jackson community for over 57 years. Ric and his family have help benefit thousands of organziations, projects, causes and events in this time and through Ric's commitment to the Jackson community, he is making Jackson a better place to live and work. Parade Theme: Celebration 2008 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Rose Festival! This year's Rose Parade will offer a revived and exciting route from year's past. It is a shortened version of the route that was previously taken in the 60's and 70's when more than 30,000 spectators came to watch this spectacular community event. The Jackson County Rose Parade is one of the largest organized parades in Michigan which includes floats, marching bands, and community groups. The Rose Festival Parade Committee is hoping to grow this event and invites the community and surrounding area businesses and organizations to join the celebration of the Rose Festival's 50th. You can celebrate a milestone of your own or help us celebrate ours! This route will be 1.8 miles long - a half mile longer than the previous route taken. If you're planning to participate and concerned about the length, think about being in a parade 2.5 miles long like the Holland Tulip Festival Parade or 5.5 miles long like the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. If you're still concerned, plan to have a transport vehicle in the parade with you to offer some resting time. Or instead of just walking, enter a float in the parade that will offer a chance for the participants to switch half way through the parade. No matter how you can be involved, the Jackson County Rose Festival Board of Directors wants you there! Come celebrate with us! PARADE SPONSORS Division Sponsors: Foote Health System ~ Art Van Furniture ~ Kiwanis Club of Jackson Grand Marshal Sponsor: Jackson Citizen Patriot Parade Marshal Sponsor: Kelly Fuels Who is in the parade (as of April 17): 7th Michigan Infantry-Jackson Civil War Muster, American 1 Federal Credit Union, Art Van Furniture, Clowns - Bolly and Molly, Cub Scout Pack 339, East Jackson High School and Middle School Marching Bands, Family Service & Children's Aid, First Presbyterian Church, Friendly Cycles, Frost Elementary School Band, Girl Scouts - Irish Hills Council, Jackson Antique Tractor Club, Jackson Army ROTC - Golden Knights, Jackson County Mounted Division, Jackson Co. Triad-AARP Chapter 405, Jackson Fire Department, Jackson High School Viking Marching Band, Jackson City Police Color Guard, Jackson Masonic Lodge #17, Jackson Moose Lodge 156-WOTM 389, WKHM-AM/FM-WIBM, Jackson YMCA, Kiwanis Club of Jackson, Knights of Columbus, Lenawee County Young Marines, Leslie Fire Department, Lumen Christi Marching Band, Marine Corp League - Irish Hills Detachment II 1182, McDonald's, Michigan State Police, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Inc., Napoleon Lions Community Band, Northeast Elementary School, Optimist Club of Jackson (Queen's Float), Paragon Charter Academy Marching Band, Parkside "Swingin' Eagles" Marching Band, The Shop Rat Foundation, Solutions 2 Wellbeing, Staying Fit 4 Life, St. Vincent de Paul, and Summit Fire Department. Several classic cars will be featured in the parade as well! PLEASE NOTE: ALL interested participants MUST fill out and submit a Parade Application to participate in the Rose Parade! You will not be allowed to just show up on parade morning and get in the parade! Parade Applications Due ASAP! Original due date is May 2. The Committee will accept applications after this date, but you will be placed at the back of the parade. Click here to open 2008 Parade Application Click here to open a PARADE ROUTE MAP. 2008 Rose Parade Rules Click here to open and print 2008 Parade Rules If you have questions regarding the Rose Parade, contact Liz Niles. Building a Float ~ Your Options Float building can be fun, but it can also be time consuming, expensive (after supplies are purchsed, you've paid staff to work on it, etc.) and frustrating. Why not think about renting a float? Or even having one built for you by a professional float building business? There is a float company within 70 miles of Jackson and services our area. The Parade Company in Detroit has been in business for over 80 years. They are responsible for America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit and know what they're doing when it comes to parades and float building. You give them an idea, they'll draw a design, work with you on changes, build the float you want, transport it to your location and it's yours to keep. If you are celebrating a milestone of your own, participate in other parades in which you could use your own float rather than build one each time, or just want to be represnted well in the community during the Rose Parade and other events, call The Parade Company. Click here for details.