Opening ceremonies for the annual Cullman County Fair won’t be held until next Thursday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m., but for those wanting a little taste of things to come, Saturday, Sept. 30, will see the fair parade take over a section of Hwy. 31 from 2-4:30 p.m.

This year’s parade may be overlapping with the final day of Cullman’s Oktoberfest celebration — just a block away around the Festhalle — but, President of the Cullman County Fair Association, Charlie Childers said there are plenty of reasons the parade has remained a staple community event, even during this season’s crowded festival calendar.

One thing that sets the fair parade apart, Childers said, is that it is one of the only annual events which brings all of Cullman County’s smaller communities together and celebrates and recognizes them each independently. Throughout the parade, each local high school — and one middle school — and representatives for this year’s Miss Cullman County Fair competition will herald their communities. Hanceville High School will be the first band on tap at the parade Saturday.

Childers said he can remember being a member of his high school’s marching band and the excitement and pride which came along with representing his community each year during the parade. This is the second reason he believes the parade continues to be solidified as one of the year’s most anticipated events, it is steeped in tradition. Childers said he and his daughter will be attending the parade together allowing the tradition to continue.

“I marched in the parade. So, that is a great memory for me … to continue that in a small town setting is huge for us [the Cullman Lions Club], to be able to give back to our community is a great way to bring us all together,” Childers said.

All proceeds raised through the event will be evenly dispersed between each of the participating marching bands.

The parade will follow the same route as last year, beginning at First Baptist Church at 6th St. S.W. and will travel north along Hwy. 31 until dispersing at the intersection with Arnold St. N.W.

If you don’t get enough local marching band at the parade, head over to Oliver Woodard Stadium at Cullman high School for the 40th annual Cullman County Band Exhibition. Gates open at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $ for adults, $2 for K-12 students.