RINCON — The first Effingham Heroes Parade will lead the way to the Rincon Recreation Department’s Freedom Rings Celebration on Saturday.

The parade, which will feature local first responders and a variety of other entries, will start at 10 a.m. at Compassion Christian Church on Fort Howard Road and end 1.7 miles later at Freedom Park.

The parade will cross Ga. Hwy 21 before turning left on Brentwood Drive and passing in front of Kroger Marketplace and Lowe’s en route to Prosperity Drive.

 Gov. Brian Kemp won’t be in the parade but the is set to welcome citizens to Freedom Park at 11 a.m. He will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Marty Kemp.

The celebration of American independence will continue throughout the day, culminating with a fireworks show at approximately 9:30 p.m. It will also feature food trucks, music and games.

The parade will be led by first responders chosen by their respective agency heads. They will carry a large American flag.

All first responders from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Rincon Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Guyton Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, Rincon Fire Department, Effingham County EMS, Effingham County Fire & Rescue, Effingham County Emergency Management Agency, Effingham County E-911, Effingham County Jail and Effingham County Prison have been named a grand marshals.

“They have received (that opportunity) so well,” Effingham Heroes Inc. President Susie Davis said Thursday. “I have been very pleased with it. They seemed a little stunned that we would remember them but I tell them this is what (the parade) is about.

“It’s about them.”

Effingham Heroes is a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to show support and foster community respect for first responders. 

Parade organizers are still working on the final lineup. It include classic cars, Shriners and floats, and possibly a military band.

“It’s looking good but the more (entries) the merrier,” Davis said. “There are still people I am trying to contact.”

Plaques will be awarded to the top three parade entries.

Effingham Heroes will also operate a dunk tank at Freedom Park. Participants will receive three throws for $5 or seven balls for $10.

The first person in the hot seat is Rincon Police Chief Jonathan Murrell at 11:30 a.m.

Others dunkees include:

Noon — Sgt. John Bradley of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office

12:30 p.m. — Mayor Russ Deen of Guyton

1 p.m. — Guyton Police Chief James Breletic

1:30 p.m. — Capt. Pete Hossalla of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office

2 p.m. — Lt. O’Neal Jones of Effingham County Fire & Rescue

2:30 p.m. — Troy Alford, former Effingham County Board of Education member

3 p.m. — Mike Vaden of the Vaden Auto Group

3:30 p.m. — Ashley Boyette of State Farm

4 p.m. — Lyndsay Smith, Realtor

4:30 p.m. — Stephanie Williingham of Coastal Custom Mortgage

5 p.m. — Effingham County Clerk of Court Jason Bragg

5:30 p.m. — Effingham County Fire & Rescue Operations Chief Bryce Nyberg

6 p.m. — Rincon Chick-fil-A owner Jason Counselman

6:30 p.m. — Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Brandon Curlee

7 p.m. — Effingham County Magistrate Court Judge Scott Lewis

7: 30 p.m. — Effingham County Fire & Rescue Lt. Dustin Hutto.