~ CONFEDERATE CELEBRATION & HISTORY PARADE ~
DOWNTOWN - NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
SATURDAY - MARCH 22, 2003
9:30 O'CLOCK A.M.
The Brig. Gen'l William T. Martin camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Natchez, MS will host the first annual 'Confederate Celebration & History Parade' ever held in the town "Where The Old South Still Lives!" The parade is being timed to coincide with the annual Spring Pilgrimage of the antebellum homes of Natchez.
At 9:30 AM on Saturday, the 22nd of March, 2003, a drum roll will signal to the color guard, "Guide Center!" and the order given, "At the route step! Forward! March!"
It will be demonstrated for young and old alike - through historical and educational tableau - that it is OK to celebrate, remember, and honor our valiant men who wore the gray during the "late unpleasantness!" It will be demonstrated it is OK to sing our traditional songs of 'Dixie' and the 'Bonnie Blue Flag' with patriotic fervor and enthusiasm! And, it will be demonstrated it is OK to show pride in our Confederate heritage and history.
There will be hundreds of marching Confederate infantry, musicians with bagpipes and drums, color guards, civilians in period dress, artillery pieces, floats, horse-drawn carriages, and cavalry. These 'living history' re-enactors will come from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and other places to participate. They will come to Natchez and visit the one-of-a-kind antebellum homes; they will shop in the stores; they will stay in the hotels and motels; they will eat in the restaurants; and they will return to their homes and tell others of the
uniqueness and hospitality that is quintessential Natchez. They will come to honor the more than 1,500 young men and boys from Natchez and Adams County who volunteered to serve their state and country during the War for Southern Independence.
Travel agencies, tour guides, and media outlets will be notified of this event, and strong public support and turnout for the parade and other activities is expected. Activities will include:
§ A memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the Confederate soldier's monument behind St. Mary's Catholic Church
§ A 'Miss Southern Belle' and a 'Jr. Miss Southern Belle' each receiving a U.S. Savings Bond
§ Military 'living history' encampments along the Bluff and around town
§ Demonstrations of artillery loading and firing from the Bluff
§ A famous Nashville recording star as the parade Grand Marshall
If you or your organization are interested in being part of this inaugural, historic parade, the only requirement is that your entry be considered positive, in good taste for such an event and, most importantly, 'Confederate-friendly.' The Sons of Confederate Veterans reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of the theme of each parade entry. However, in order to participate, entries must pre-register with the parade committee no later than Monday, March 17, 2003. No 'last minute' entries can be accepted.
At the conclusion of the parade, a number of re-enactors will repair to several ante-bellum homes in town where we will become part of the ambience of the day's tour events. Yankees love to see Confederate soldiers and their ladies! We will also 'work' Main Street to welcome tourists and show them what Natchez might have been like in 1862.
With over 32,000 members, the Sons of Confederate Veterans is the oldest and largest organization of its kind, its membership open to males 12 years and older who can show their descendancy from a Confederate soldier. Founded in 1896, the SCV is an historical, patriotic, and non-political organization, dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved for current as well as for future generations.
For additional information and details on the parade, please feel free to contact the following parade committee member:
Robert Crook
Ph: 903 595 7943 Day
903 534 9562 Eve
E-Mail: scv8ms@aol.com