T
he Greater Alliance Carnation Festival Grand Parade, a highlight of the annual festival's 65th year, took place on August 9. The parade route spanned State Street to South Union Avenue and ended at East Broadway Street. Tanner Real Estate emerged as the big winner by taking home the Mayor’s Award for "Overall Best of Show" float.

    To participate in the parade, floats were required to display a minimum of five dozen scarlet carnations, while regular units needed three dozen and auto club vehicles two dozen. The winners in each category included:

    * Overall Best of Show (Mayor's Award): Tanner Real Estate

    * Best of Show-Rescue: 9/11 Memorial

    * Queen's Award: Science Hill

    * Carnation Award: Alliance Area Democratic Club

    * Religious Award: Alliance First Church of God

    * Civic Award: Alliance Elks Lodge #467

    * Chamber of Commerce Award: First Christian Church

    * Grand Marshal Award: Alliance City Schools

    * Lamborn Award: Alliance Area Republican Club

    * McKinley Award: Chick-Fil-A

    * Visiting Queen Award: Louisville Constitution Float

    * Parade Chairman's Award: Washington Ruritan Club

    * Best Fire Truck Award: Lexington Fire Department