The American Legion Post 201 and City of Alpharetta will present the 57th Annual Old Soldiers Day Parade on Saturday, August 1, 2009. The parade theme is “Lest We Forget” recognizing the living memory of All Veterans of All Wars. The festivities begin at City Hall at 8:45 a.m. with a performance by the Alpharetta City Band, followed by a special program at 9:30 a.m. with introduction of guests. This patriotic summer parade begins around 10:15 a.m., starting at City Hall (2 South Main Street), turning west on Old Milton Parkway and ending at the American Legion Post 201 at Wills Road.

“The parade down Main Street has become a summer tradition for many families in Alpharetta,” says Mayor Arthur Letchas. “It’s filled with all the fun an old-fashioned parade can offer, and most importantly brings the entire community together to remember the brave generations of men and women who have served our country.”

The Old Soldiers Day Parade first began in 1865 after the guns were silenced in the War Between the States. The Confederate Soldiers living in and around Milton County, now part of Fulton County, established a time each year to relive a fellowship born of war. They came from miles around by horse, wagon and on foot to a very small town called Alpharetta. Many of them were still living in Alpharetta when the young soldiers of World War I returned to their homes in Milton County. Best evidence would indicate that sometime during 1920 the elderly Confederate Soldiers invited the “Young-uns,” the new veterans of World War I, to assemble to the rear and parade with them down Main Street of Alpharetta. They marched together for only a few years until most were gone and the event faded.

Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, a small group of men in Alpharetta from American Legion Post 201 re-dedicated the Old Soldiers Day Parade and began having a parade again in downtown Alpharetta. This would be a tribu­te and a living memorial to All Veterans of All Wars. Thanks to these few men and their belief in keeping this memorable tradition alive, the parade has become an annual celebration marking 57 consecutive years to date.

Alpharetta’s 144-year-old event is expected to have approximately 150 units in the parade line-up consisting of marching military units, the Shriners, floats, bands, wagons and horses, classic cars, clowns, prizes, and of course, candy. The parade will end at the American Legion Post 201 where the celebration continues with entertainment and children’s activities. The Varsity will serve free hot dogs and American Legion Post 201 will provide free soft drinks.

The public is invited to take part in this annual tradition to recognize the living memory of All Veterans of All Wars.

For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us or phone 678-297-6078.