Parade: Benton-Franklin County Fair Parade

We always have a great time participating in the Benton-Franklin County Fair Parade!

Parade DETAILS:

Look for the blue Lampson semi-truck. The truck and our float tend to be near Kennewick High School auditorium or the Library across the street. Wear sunscreen, bring lots of water, and mostly white closed toed shoes/walking shoes to dance in.

• 7:00-7:10 am be at the float at to help decorate and practice dancing. Check-in is at 7:00 am for our truck and sometimes delayed.  So don’t worry if you see the semi driving down the street; we have to be escorted to our spot and will meet you there.
• 7:50 – Dancers & Cloggers check in for attendance and formation placement
• 8:00 am – ALL Dancers and Cloggers setting formations, parade columns, and practicing their routines
• 8:30 and 9:30 – Judging.  Everyone in place and ready to dance.
• 10:00 am – parade starts! All dancers and cloggers in place and ready to roll.

There is usually time to use the bathroom between judging and parade start time and maybe grab a snack that you bring. But please ensure your dancer uses the restroom before leaving the house and eats breakfast. Dring water in the DAYS LEADING UP TO THE PARADE. This helps prevent dehydration during the parade.

DANCERS wear BLUE studio t-shirt with WHITE shorts (no denim and not too short)., mostly white shoes.  Young dancers on the float may bring their blue dance bag to hold maracas between routines.

CLOGGERS wear BLACK clogging t-shirt with stretch denim shorts (not too short), white socks, mostly white shoes to practice in and in case something happens to your clogging shoes.

DANCER/CLOGGERS (Kids who do BOTH DANCE AND CLOG) – wear your preferred attire but bring the other. Have both the Blue Studio t-shirt with white shorts AND BLACK clogging shirt with denim shorts. You are Swing dancers and could be asked to dance on the clog trailer or in the street depending on numbers.  Thank you!

ALL – Hair in a neat ponytail secured with a black hair band. No fly-aways please.  Wear mostly white comfortable closed-toed shoes for walking/dancing. Berry colored lipstick so the crowd can see our dancers’ beautiful smiles.

PARENTS/OLDER SIBLINGS – We need banner carriers, water carriers, semi truck spotters, people to hand out flyers and candy throwers to walk alongside our vehicles. Wear a studio t-shirt or Dance Connection polos if you have them; you can purchase from the office too or wear a blue or black shirt that you already have. Wear shoes for walking, preferably closed-toe. Allow time to park & walk to the staging area. Bring only your water as there isn’t room for other ‘stuff’ on the float. Cloggers bring clogging shoes.

Toddlers and Preschoolers ride on the small float.  1-2 parents ride on the small float as chaperones to ensure dancers stay seated and help them with hand motions.

Elementary and older dancers dance along the parade route behind the small float. We will set formations at 8:00 am so please be prompt and check in at 7:50.

Cloggers dance on the semi trailer behind the dancers.

We need 3 very attentive Adult spotters to walk behind the dancers and in front of the semi truck.

Adult Candy throwers are also safety spotters and need to be attentive to kids running into the street.

ALL – STAY TO HELP UNDECORATE, ORGANIZE, AND LOAD THE VAN AFTER THE PARADE. Many hands make fast, light work.