UPDATE: Johns Creek Cancels Founders Day Parade

UPDATE at 8:44 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6: the city of Johns Creek has canceled its annual Founders Day Parade due to rain.

“We thank our participants and sponsors for all their hard work,” Mayor Mike Bodker said in a statement. “I know a lot of people will be disappointed, but we’ll be back next year and hope all can join us then.”

ORIGINAL STORY

Johns Creek residents have a little less than 48 hours to celebrate the founding of their city.

The 2014 Johns Creek Founders Day Parade is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and features 86 units, more than 2,000 participants, and WSB-TV reporter Mike Petchenik as emcee, the city said in its press release.

The parade, which celebrates the city’s 2006 incorporation, typically draws about 10,000 spectators lining the route on State Bridge Road.

The 2014 parade welcomes some perennial favorites, including the popular Wienermobile, the “Seed and Feed Marching Abominables” — a street-theater marching band — the Atholl Highlanders Pipes and Drums, the Shriners’ mini-cars, and the Atlanta Braves’ Homer the Brave and Heavy Hitters drumline, sponsored by Alcon.

In preparation for the big event, bands, vehicles and floats are being assigned slots, volunteers organized and a traffic plan implemented.

People who had planned to travel State Bridge Road on Saturday morning should consider alternate routes, such as Abbotts Bridge or McGinnis Ferry roads, from about 8 a.m. to noon.

The parade route will be closed in three stages from south to north until the 1.4-mile route between Morton and Kimball Bridge roads is blocked off. Closings include side streets. Traffic from Twingate Drive will be allowed to enter and exit State Bridge Road in the direction of Medlock Bridge Road.

Road closures are:

• 8 a.m. – State Bridge blocked off between East and West Morton roads. Morton Road is shaped like a horseshoe with both sides crossing State Bridge Road. That means motorists on State Bridge Road can use Morton as a detour to go around the closed segment and continue on State Bridge until about 9:15 a.m.
• 9:15 a.m. – Next segment of State Bridge Road, from West Morton Road to Jones Bridge Road, will be closed off. Jones Bridge remains open until about 10 a.m.
• 10 a.m. – State Bridge Road will be closed all the way from East Morton Road to Kimball Bridge Road. Roadblocks should be lifted by about noon.

Residents can view the parade map on the city’s website.

Photo credit: 2013 Johns Creek Founders Day Parade