City To Host Lady Bear Celebration Parade On Monday

The Celebration Parade honoring the Baylor Lady Bears will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, with the firing of a cannon at 11th and Austin Avenue.
The parade will move down Austin Avenue to Third Street in front of City Hall, where the City of Waco, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Waco Inc. will roll out the red carpet for the Baylor Lady Bears. In addition to the team, the parade will include the Courtside Players, yell and song leaders, Bruiser the Bear mascot, coaches, managers, trainers and media team. Waco Mayor Robin McDurham will be the only other person in the parade so the focus of the community outpouring will be on the Lady Bears.
Each of the 15 players will be riding in separate Corvette convertibles. Others will ride in other donated convertibles.
This parade is truly an expression of love and appreciation for the manner in which these ladies have carried themselves and represented Baylor and Waco with grace, class, and integrity, McDurham said. The citizens of Waco through their appreciation have donated their time and services to make this parade happen. A spokesman for the city said organizers have not paid for anything as a part of the parade, and nothing will be sold at the event. Free food will be provided for everyone along with the opportunity to show the Baylor Lady Bears their support.
Citizens are encouraged to wear Green and Gold, bring banners, signs, and pom poms and fall in behind Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson at the end of the parade and walk to the presentation stage where brief presentations and comments will be made.

Note for Electronic Media: A mult-box will be available for direct audio from the podium. Parking for TV microwave trucks will be just South of Austin on Third Street.

Street Closures on Monday

Austin Avenue from 12th to Fifth will be blocked off beginning around 5 p.m.

Street Parking will be restricted in the afternoon. People will be able to leave their parking spaces, but no new parking on the streets.

Fourth and Fifth Streets at the Austin Avenue intersections will be open until just before parade starts at 5:30PM.

Austin from Fourth to Third will be closed and Third from Franklin to Washington will be closed Monday morning.

People will be able to park in the Heritage Square and Convention Center lots, as well as the many lots throughout Downtown Waco.