Parade for Victoria Arlen Saturday

A parade for hometown hero Victoria Arlen will be held Sat., Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. in downtown Exeter.

Arlen, 17, is an Exeter High School student. She won a gold medal and three silvers in the 2012 London Paralympics earlier this month.

"We hope everyone comes out," said Town Manager Russ Dean. "It will be a great event for the town."

The parade will start near the downtown mills and go through Water Street to Swasey Parkway, where there will be a ceremony at the pavilion.

Arlen lost the use of her legs after being afflicted with the spinal cord disease transverse myelitis. She swam to a first-place finish the 100-meter freestyle during the Paralympics, setting a world record in the process.

Arlen also won silver medals in the 50-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle, and the 4 X 100-meter freestyle relay.

Gov. John Lynch recently honored Arlen, declaring that Sept. 21 will always be known as "Victoria Arlen Day" in New Hampshire.