The 2008 Heritage Days Parade which is sponsored by the Alliance Times-Herald and organized by the Alliance Kiwanis had 62 entries this year. The winner in each category is as follows: Commercial Division -Western Heritage Credit Union; Youth - Alliance FFA; Non-Commercial - Highland Park.
The winners of each division receives $100.00 in Chamber Bucks courtesy of the Alliance Times-Herald. Each entry was judged on creativity and how they carried out the theme. The theme this year was "Bricks Pave the Way to the Future - The 1920s." The theme could be carried out by depicting several things from the 1920s in Alliance or across the nation. The parade was judged by three volunteers from the public.
Western Heritage Credit Union won the commercial division by depicting a scene from an early financial institution that may have existed during the 1920s.
Bricks were instituted as part of the art work. Their description explained just as bricks paved the way for a bright future for Alliance so many years age, investing in your member-owned credit union will make your future bright also. The float had Western Heritage Employees riding aboard depicting 1928 people.
Youth Division winner was the Alliance High School FFA Chapter. Future Farmers of America was founded in 1928. FFA is an integral part of the school system and uses agricultural education to create real-world success. The float illustrated that just as bricks lead to bright future in Alliance, FFA can lead to a bright future for its members. Aboard the float were 2008-2009 Alliance Chapter Officers: Bryce Vaughn, President; Spencer Rowley, Vice-President; Sage Henderson-Secretary; Brittany Anderson-Treasurer; Brodrick Nickens-Reporter; Katherine Aby-Historian; Alyssa Dye, Parliamentarian; Hayley Lock-Student Advisor; Ms. Lori Walla-Faculty Advisor.
Highland Park was the non-commercial entry with the depiction of the first Miss America Pageant, the advent of the Women's right to vote, Prohibition and the era of gangsters, the discovery of King Tut's Tomb, and the flourishing of commercial radio, jazz, and dancing. Riding the float were members of the Highland Park staff.
The Chamber would like to thank all the entrants for their hard work that made the parade a success and the 2008 Heritage Days Celebration a memorable one.