Dexter Missouri - The community is buzzing with the arrival of floats, bands and other parade participants.  The crews from the City of Dexter and area civic groups have been working to get organized and ready for the Stoddard County Parade 2012.

Line-up for all the parade participants will be at 5:00 PM today.  With only thirty minutes before the parade begins, everything has to be planned down to the "T".  Area streets have been marked off with paint on Bain Street, Chautauqua Street and others surrounding the traditional starting line in front of Harp's Supermarket. 

At 5:30, the whistle will blow and the parade will begin.

Many long time attendees of the festivities are well aware that they must arrive early to get their specific spot on the parade route.  In the early afternoon, lawn chairs and tents could be found along the route marking spots that people want to view the parade. 

The City of Dexter Street Department worked furiously through the past weeks to repair a section of Stoddard Street so it would be ready for today's event.  The project was completed just in time with fresh smooth blacktop laid at the end of last week.

Make your plan to attend the parade and fair this year.  Activities get underway at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds following the parade.