A RECORD FIVE VEHICLES FOR THE POINT/ARC IN THE FT. MITCHELL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
FORT MITCHELL, Ky. — The city of Fort Mitchell is known for its Civil War heritage as one of seven fortifications built to defend the city of Cincinnati – and gets its name from the Union Ormsby Mitchell.
It was officially incorporated as a city in 1910, and later annexed nearby communities such as South Fort Mitchell and Crescent Park.
For Judi Gerding and her staff at Covington’s The Point/Arc, Fort Mitchell is the Independence Day parade. “It’s the biggest event for that city,” said Gerding, founder and President of the non-profit, celebrating their 52nd year.
And this year, The Point/Arc had no less than five vehicles in the parade that commenced at the DCCH Center Fairgrounds (75 Orphanage Road), traveled north on Dixie Highway to Beechwood Road and culminated at Beechwood Schools (54 Beechwood Road).
“It’s just a great event that brings the entire community together,” she said, “And I was shocked to see the adults and children lined up along the route despite the threatening weather.”
This year’s theme was, “Honoring Heritage, Celebrating Liberty Together,” and the Fort Mitchell Country Club and Fort Mitchell Baptist Church served as Co-Grand Marshalls.
City streets along Dixie Highway between Orphanage Road and Beechwood Road were closed from noon to about 3 p.m. during the parade.
Some 132 businesses and organizations were listed as participants, according to the Fort Mitchell Parade website.
The Point/Arc – founded in 1972 – has participated in, “Too many parades that I forget,” says Gerding, who turns 84 on August 3rd.
The organization was founded by a group of parents fighting for the educational rights of their children, who were diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental (I/DD)_ disability. The mission —to help people with disabilities achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially and vocationally. More than this, The Point/Arc has been an organization that identifies gaps in services and provides care and support to fill these gaps – even when government funding sources are not available.
