A week ago, Michelene Sheppard announced to the public that she was organizing a city-wide parade in honor of this year’s seven Bridgeport High School state championships.

 

Today, it’s go time and she couldn’t be more pleased with how the procession has come together.

 

“We’ve really had a good response. We have 22 groups and it’s just shaping up lovely,” said Sheppard Wednesday night, as she was putting finishing touches on the lineup.

 

Groups – some walking and some riding – are meeting at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. parade.

 

“We have the BHS Alumni Band right in the middle,” Sheppard said.

 

It’s not too late to be part of the alumni band effort. (See more information HERE.)

 

The parade will also feature the Bridgeport High School Baseball Team; Benedum Festival royalty, the Bridgeport Bombers youth baseball team; youth football and cheerleaders; Shelby Whiteman, taekwondo champion; Bridgeport Middle School cross country and track teams; BMS girls basketball and soccer teams; BMS dance line; BMS boys soccer team; Bridgeport High School Cheerleaders; BHS girls soccer team; BHS tennis champions, BHS varsity football team and the BHS cross country and track teams, riding on a 40-foot trailer provided by Ron Lane, Inc. Bridgeport fire trucks will also be carrying some parade participants, Sheppard said.

 

Some units will be tossing candy throughout the parade route – Philadelphia Avenue from Main Street, proceeding across Johnson Avenue and concluding near Bridgeport High School.

 

To alleviate congestion at the conclusion, units will disperse at pre-designated areas. As some members of the BHS Baseball Team are involved in Legion play, those athletes will go directly to the baseball field.

 

Trailers hauling middle School teams will pull into the BMS parking lot and high school teams will wind up at BHS. The BHS Alumni Band will disperse at the BHS band room and the BHS Football Team will go on to Wayne Jamison Field.

 

It is hoped that teens participating in and watching the parade will make Bridgeport City Park their next stop. The annual Benedum Festival kicks off tonight with “Teen Night,” featuring live entertainment and more. That celebration is from 5 p.m. through midnight. See tonight's Teen Night schedule and a full weekend festival schedule HERE. 

 

Philadelphia Avenue and Johnson Avenue will be closed to traffic during duration of tonight's parade and just before.

 

Questions about tonight's parade can be directed to  Sheppard at 304-624-9206.

 

Tonight will also feature the Benedum Fellows Banquet, honoring 2014 “Fellow” LuAnne Bush and paying tribute to longtime committee members Judi Giffen and Eileen Frank. Watch for coverage of that event on Connect-Bridgeport. 

 

Editor's Note: Photo of 2013 Bridgeport Homecoming Parade by Ben Queen Photography.