11 a.m.: Fictional "Rudy" to appear in parade

The Associated Press

July 02, 2008 11:06 am

— LAPORTE, Ind. — The LaPorte Jaycees say actor Sean Astin will be the grand marshal of this year’s Fourth of July parade.
Parade president Dawn Zigler says they’re lucky to get Astin, who starred in the Notre Dame football film “Rudy” and as Samwise Gamgee in the “Lord of the Rings” movie series. She says Astin’s in-laws are from the area.
It is the 62nd time the northwestern Indiana city has held the parade. It starts with a flyover by a Navy F-18 Hornet and includes 146 units.
Astin was in Indiana several times earlier this year campaigning for Hillary Rodham Clinton in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.