There’s going to be a parade in Clinton Thursday — sorta

May 3, 2023 by Ken Leinart

Thursday afternoon there will be a parade in downtown Clinton.

Sorta.

There will “be a gathering” at 1 p.m. in the vicinity of the Cullom Street/Eagle Bend/Market Street area, said Tonya Sharp, a volunteer with Alzheimer’s Tennessee.

The purpose is to promote the May 20 “Five County Walk” to be held in Historic Downtown Clinton.

“It’s not a big parade, really, we’ll be passing out fliers, answering questions, just trying to drum up support for the May 20 walk,” Sharp said.

The May 20 walk — “Walk to make Alzheimer’s a memory” — will begin at 9 a.m., with registration and entertainment by “Purple Pi” and DJ Big Lar. There will also be time for team photos and a T-shirt contest.

Everyone is encouraged to wear purple for the event.

Opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m. Oak Ridge historian and columnist Ray Smith will be on hand, as well as Alzheimer’s Tennessee Champion and Volunteer for Life Craig Colquitt.

At 11:15 a.m., there will be a walk through Clinton’s Historic Eagle Bend neighborhood. Walkers may enjoy ice cream and antique shopping after the event.

Also on May 20 there will be a pet parade and pets may compete for “Best Dresed” and “Most Purple and Orange.”

Sharp said May 20 will mark the second year the 5 County Walk has been held in Clinton. She said in previous years it has been held in Oak Ridge.

“There will be a pet area, a kids area, and we’ll have free popcorn and cotton candy,” she said.

Sharp said the walk’s goal is to promote the cause of Alzheimer’s Tennessee — advocacy for people with dementia and their families providing local family support, and help fund research.

The event in pet and family friendly.

“We’re trying to promote the cause for the betterment of all people,” Sharp said.