All the World Loves a Parade, and Speedway does, too!
The town of Speedway, Indiana has a group of passionate and enthusiastic residents who longed to create an opportunity to showcase the businesses, organizations, schools, people, and initiatives that make the town so special. And what they came up with is an old-fashioned and fun street parade to celebrate the town. What better way to bring people together than to do it in a way that cheers people on, celebrates the unique qualities of the town, showcases the diversity of the town as well as the quality of businesses located here.
I had the chance to interview Gina Grove who has spearheaded this effort and I will let you hear from her on why she decided to do it, how she gained support for the project, and all of the details in between!
How did you decide to do a parade for the town of Speedway?
I decided to do a parade in Speedway because of the small town feel that we have in our community. We have such an incredible and diverse school district that does amazing things with our students, we have devoted small business owners that bring invaluable services to our community, and we have some great community organizations that focus on improving our town. I wanted to organize an event that allowed for us to showcase all of these different groups and what makes them and our town special, and I thought a parade was the perfect way to do that.
What are your favorite memories of parades in your childhood or lifetime?
I grew up in Danville, Indiana where we had a homecoming parade every year. I enjoyed participating in that parade as a youth league cheerleader and later as part of the homecoming court, student council, various clubs and building a class float.
What is your favorite thing about a parade?
I think the best part about a parade is getting everyone gathered in the town to cheer on each other and celebrate all the unique people, businesses, and activities a community has to offer.
How did you come to the date/time of year that you did?
I picked this date because it coincides with the High School Homecoming. I thought that if people who grew up in Speedway come back for the homecoming festivities, they might want to come view the parade.
I understand you established a nonprofit for this initiative. What is your mission?
I reached out and formed a small committee for the parade. With the help of these women, we formed the Speedway Hometown Parade Corporation. Our mission is that this parade is something that continues for many years to come! To be a nonprofit we are able to raise money to market the parade and keep costs low or free for participants.
How have you secured funding for this undertaking?
There has to be a cost associated with the effort.
We have gone to local businesses and asked for donations. The cost for the parade is parade insurance plus marketing materials, such as banners and yard signs. The town Council was gracious enough to waive our fees for security, police presence and road barricades.
Have you received support for this effort?
We have received so much support from the community and the small business owners! It is unbelievable how generous our small business owners have been!
Who have been your biggest cheerleaders?
My small but mighty parade committee who consists of Lane Warner, Christina Young and Melissa Cook have invested their time and devotion to the planning of this inaugural parade. They have written bylaws, created flyers, forms and t-shirts! They have jumped all the way in with me on this plan. My family has also been my biggest cheerleaders: my three kids, my husband, my mom, and my in-laws, have all supported me and shown their excitement for the parade!
What is your goal for future parades?
Our goal for the future is that this parade grows in length and becomes a yearly tradition that kids and adults all look forward to and that it instills a sense of school and community pride for all who consider themselves a Sparkplug!
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As the founder of For the Love of Speedway, I knew I had to be involved when I heard about this initiative. I grew up in a town the same size as Speedway and we had an annual parade that always just mesmerized me as a kid.
I grew up in this small 2-college town that had a combined college homecoming. The schools would alternate who had home field advantage for the football game, and they would also rotate who got to lead the homecoming parade each year. It was magical! In one of the homes we lived in when I was a kid, one of the college bands would warm up on our street in front of our house. The sound of the drumline was a thrill to listen to. Then when we all headed downtown for the parade, we had to scope out our prime viewing spots to see all the sights.
I don’t know that I can say I have a favorite part of a parade. For me it is the people, the bands, the floats, but also the sense of community that all of that brings collectively. Speedway has a great idea and great support for their inaugural event. Gina and her team have done a fantastic job pulling all the moving parts together! Now we get excited as they strike up the band for the first Speedway Hometown Parade! Join us!
Sponsors of the parade via Instagram handles:
@visitfundaes
@berindesigns
@_puppypitstop
@lanelewisphotography
@thesparkcoffee
@the.fitness.boutique
@mimiindycreations
@threesistersandatrunk
@tacosandtequilaonmain
@speedwaylionsclub
@thespeedwaysuites
@fortheloveofspeedway
@sikarting
@cocacola
@waycitychurch
@citydogsgrocery
@firedawgsjunkremoval
@dawsons_on_main
@body_beautiful_medi_spa
@comicspriceguide
Find Facebook links on Facebook post!