Parades ready to take over Broad St.

The annual Ginger Pride and St. PETrick’s parades will take place Saturday.

A vibrant mix of orange and green will blanket Broad Street on Saturday, as two events take to downtown, one aimed at ending bullying and the other seeking to spread knowledge of animal rescue efforts.

The seventh annual Ginger Pride Parade will start at 11 a.m. on Broad Street, concluding in front of the Rome City Auditorium. The lighthearted walk aims to combat bullying by having marchers hoist signs and sport T-shirts that convey pride of the radiant reds.

Ginger-themed foods like sugar cookies with orange icing, ginger snaps, Orange Crush and ginger ale will be served prior to the start. During the walk, a group picture is taken in front of Ginger’s Dollings & Cattywags.

The Facebook page jokingly encourages walkers to bring plenty of sunblock. Signs of paradegoers in past marches have proclaimed sentiments such as “Clouds Are My Best Friend” and “Freckle Power.” Any and all are encouraged to join, even, as the page says, “non-gingers, transgingers, red beards, red pets … and anyone that just wants to have a good time.”

Additionally on Saturday, the Rome-Floyd Humane Society will put on their annual St. PETrick’s Day Parade and Animal Advocacy Celebration, leaving from Bridgepoint Plaza at 1 p.m. Attendees and their furry companions are encouraged to come and meet local animal advocates, learn how to volunteer and get informed of all the exciting things happening in the rescue community.

Trophies will be handed out for Best Pet Costume, Most Unusual Pet, Best Pet/Owner Team Costume and Best Pet/ Owner Look-alike. Janie Jones will serve as grand marshal.

No registration is required for the free event. A reception will be held directly after the parade at the Rome-Floyd Humane Society’s offices at 518 Broad St.

For more information, visit the Facebook pages of Ginger Pride Parade and Rome-Floyd Humane Society.