Kempsey Shire Council is calling on local businesses to dress up their shop fronts and show their support for our local bushfire heroes as part of the Thank You Parade taking place in Kempsey on Saturday 28 March.
Businesses along the parade route are encouraged to decorate their exteriors with the theme "Thank you RFS and Emergency Services".
The parade will see more than 20 RFS brigade and emergency response vehicles depart at 11:30am from the Visitor Information Centre at South Kempsey Park, travel along Lachlan Street, across the Kempsey Traffic Bridge, then down Belgrave Street to West Kempsey to finish at Tozer Sttreet roundabout at around 12 noon.
On the morning of the parade Kempsey Mayor Liz Campbell will travel along the route and choose the best decorated business, with the winner to receive a $500 advertising voucher.
"I'd love to see businesses get creative with banners and decorations to show their appreciation for our wonderful bushfire heroes as they come through town" Cr Campbell said.
"This parade is an ideal opportunity to extend our gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly to save lives and property, and will mark an important recovery turning point for our community."
With crowds expected to line the route, it is hoped businesses will engage with the parade and spectators even if it is outside normal business hours. There will be rolling road closures, led by police escort, to ensure safety for participants and the community as RFS vehicles move along the parade route.
After the parade, the vehicles and our local heroes will make their way to Verge Street Oval for a live music concert organised by a dedicated team of residents and volunteers and supported by Council. The concert will be family-friendly and feature live music, entertainment, food and drinks, and everyone is invited to bring a picnic rug and chair to enjoy a great night out. Admission is by donation with all funds going to support our local Lower North Coast RFS.
