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Return Day Committee, Georgetown Police announce parade details, road closures
[Oct. 12, 2008] – Preparations for Return Day 2008 are quickly moving forward, and officials with the Sussex County Return Day Committee and the Georgetown Police Department are working to make this year’s festivities as familiar and enjoyable as those of election years past.
Delaware is in the national spotlight with this year’s presidential campaign, and because of that, expectations are high for Return Day 2008 to draw high-profile political figures, national media and thousands of spectators. Thus, there is increased attention to security, and several measures will be implemented this year to ensure the safety of parade participants and spectators.
Return Day Committee President Rosalie Walls wants to reassure the public that the Return Day everyone knows and loves will look and feel the same, even with a few new measures in place.
Return Day will be held Thursday, Nov. 6.
“The No. 1 question on everyone’s mind is, ‘Will Sen. Biden attend?’ We do not know,” Ms. Walls said. “The Senator and his campaign have not confirmed his travel plans on Return Day.”
“What we do know is that Sen. Biden, in his career, hasn’t missed a Return Day yet,” Ms. Walls added. “So we are planning as if he will be here.”
The Return Day Committee, on the advice of local law enforcement, has decided to impose certain limits on parade entries. Those include:
• The prohibition of fuel tanker trucks, and other large, enclosed vehicles (such as garbage trucks or tractortrailers);
• A restriction on throwing candy or other items from parade entries;
• Requiring parade participants to remain on the entire parade route from start to finish.
There will be no restrictions on the type or size of floats, nor will marching bands, civic organizations, dance troupes, etc., be barred from this year’s event. All entries, however, must register with the Return Day Committee by Thursday, Oct. 30. For an entry form, visit www.returnday.org.
Entrants must be in place at the appropriate staging areas near Georgetown Middle School by no later than 11 a.m. on Return Day to allow for inspection and security checks.
The public is reminded that many streets throughout Georgetown will be closed, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5, to accommodate the Return Day festivities. A full listing of those closures is provided in a separate release.
Additionally, those planning to attend the Return Day parade and festivities as spectators are encouraged to arrive early and carpool, if possible. Parking will not be allowed in many areas of Georgetown. Park-n-Ride locations will be established at Delaware Technical & Community College, and North Georgetown Elementary School.
Lastly, officials are asking the public to refrain from bringing backpacks, coolers, and large purses, if possible, as those items could be subject to search.
“A lot of the precautions we are taking are for the safety of the people, not just our elected leaders,” said Georgetown Police Chief William Topping. “But everything is going to be as normal as we can make it. We want everyone to have a good time, and we want to showcase Georgetown, Sussex County and the state of Delaware in the best light possible.”
Return Day is a uniquely Sussex County tradition held each election year to celebrate the democratic process and set aside poliical differences. Recognized as a U.S. Library of Congress Local Legacy event, Return Day dates to as early as 1792 and brings together candidates – both winners and losers – on the Thursday after Election Day.
For more information on Return Day, including history and a schedule of events, visit
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MEDIA CONTACT: Chip Guy, Return Day PIO
returnday08.info@gmail.com
