The 19th Annual Ollie H. Dixon Back-to-School Parade and Picnic will be held on Saturday, Aug.1.

The parade route will begin at the former Shadeland Elementary School, 1525 West 14th Street, at 11 a.m. The picnic will begin immediately following the parade at Jackson Park, West 22nd Street, in Anderson.

This parade and picnic is open to the public.

The purpose of the parade and picnic is to build enthusiasm for the return to school and to provide free school supplies.  Last year, the event helped approximately 2,000 children prepare for school. The supplies given are age and grade appropriate.

Business contributions and donations can be in the form of school supplies (with or without logo), plastic bags (to hold school supplies), food or drinks for the picnic, gift certificates for prizes or cash to help purchase these items.  Volunteers to help with the parade and picnic. You may also enter a unit in the parade as well, at no cost!

To make a contribution or to obtain more information contact Ollie H. Dixon at 621-3313 . To volunteer, enter a unit in the parade or set-up an information booth at the picnic, please contact Tamie Dixon-Tatum at 278-6780 or TTatumhbtg@aol.com. To offer words of encouragement to the children, there is a limited number of guest speakers each year, so signing up early is encouraged.