A group of about 10-12 people from the Cullman area were in Montgomery Monday, as Gov. Bob Riley was sworn in for a second term, said Tomesa Smith, dean of students at Wallace State Community College.

Early Monday afternoon, Smith and others from Cullman County were preparing for a parade following Riley’s speech. Mallard Construction of Cullman built a float for the parade including a banner that read “Cullman County and Wallace State believe in Alabama,” in conjunction with the inaugural theme “Believe in Alabama,” Smith said.

Cherie and Grady Smith donated their 21-foot trailer to carry the float, pulled by John Mahler’s Hummer.

“They did a fantastic job,” Smith said, referring to construction of the float. “It was a joint project through the Cullman I.D. Board, the city, the county and the Chamber of Commerce. It represents all of Cullman County.”

By early afternoon, those lining up for the parade had escaped most of the rainfall, Smith said.

“It looks like it’s going to rain any minute,” she said. “It hasn’t rained on us yet, but it looks like it’s going to any time.”

Smith said the float had three 4 X 6 signs: One featuring the Wallace State seal, the other in the shape of Cullman County and another in the shape of Alabama. The signs were on rotating poles powered by a generator, giving the float an appearance unlike any others seen at the parade, she said.

Smith said about 60 bands participated in the parade, including marching bands from the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and high school bands from around the state. There were only 12-15 floats in the parade, she said.

Volunteers riding on the float or handling equipment included Butch and Theresa Mahler, Staci Bryan, Steve and Tomesa Smith, Tony and Cindy Mallard and John Mahler. The project was a partnership between Wallace State, Cullman County, the Cullman County Industrial Development Board, City of Cullman, City Industrial Board and the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.