A Special Olympics parade will be held Saturday, March 23.

The Monroe Junior Women’s Club, which is sponsoring the event, is asking for participants to take part in the parade and show support for the competitors in the games.

Registration is free, although donations to the Special Olympics are appreciated.

Floats are not required and participants can either walk or ride in the parade.

Line-up begins at 9 a.m. at First Methodist Church in Monroe, located at 400 S. Broad St.

For those interested in watching the festivities, the parade begins at 10 a.m.

The route is down Broad Street, beginning at Alcovy Street and ending at the city of Monroe offices.

The parade serves to kick-off the Special Olympics opening ceremonies and events.

Kick-off starts at 10 a.m., and athletes are taken directly from the parade to Monroe Area High School for opening ceremonies and games, said Gina Shumate, a contact for the Junior Women’s Club.

The events include the Special Olympics for all schools in Walton County. To register to participate in the parade, contact Gina Shumate at 770-652-4769 or gshumate@windstream.net.

Forms can be submitted to the Monroe Junior Women’s Club at P.O. Box 1981, Monroe, GA 30655.