Jasper Lions Club Rodeo
Parade ushers in beginning of rodeo week in Jasper

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh, Tiger Truck's in the saddle this time. Four Tiger Trucks filled with Jasper High School cheerleaders will be in the Jasper Lions Club Rodeo parade this year.

Tiger Truck is the new manufacturing plant expected to bring more than 100 jobs to the Jasper area. The company is revamping the old LP facility on U.S. Highway 63 East and moving production from Dallas to East Texas. The first Jasper-built trucks should roll off the line in January 2008.

Theme for the parade this year is Gene Autry's "Back in the Saddle Again," and the grand marshal for the 61st rodeo parade is Art Lay, the "Voice of the Jasper Bulldogs."

Lay has been the play-byplay sportscaster for Jasper teams for 33 years. He first came to Jasper to cover the rodeo and parade for KLVI.

The parade takes place next Wednesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. Entrants in the parade must be lined up by 4:15 p.m. for judging. First, second and third place trophies are awarded in six categories: commercial, civic, church, youth, marching band and trail riders.

The parade lines up on North Main Street and entries stretch well past the city cemetery. The parade circles several blocks of downtown.

All equine entries must show proof of Coggin's test, a rule that attempts to stop the spread of equine infectious anemia, for which there is no cure and no vaccine.

Position in the parade was assigned to early entrants last week, but parade chairman Lloyd Persons says late registration will still be accepted through Friday; however, late entries will be put at the end of the parade lineup. Forms must be in the Jasper Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce by May 4.

Chamber assistant Amber Stroman said that the Jasper High School marching band, many churches and businesses, clubs and scout groups have all turned in entry forms. The Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society will have their train in the parade, and Jasper royalty and pageant winners are entered. Candidates in the upcoming local elections also picked up entry forms.