Lloyd to be honored at Delran parade By Chuck Gormley

Source: http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808240421

August 24, 2008

Courier-Post Staff

Two days after watching former Delran High School soccer star Carli Lloyd being awarded an Olympic gold medal, Mayor Ken Paris unveiled details of the Labor Day parade to celebrate Lloyd's accomplishments in Beijing.

According to Paris, the parade will begin Sept. 1 at 10 a.m at Vermes Field on Tenby Chase Drive in Delran. The route will turn left onto Haines Mill Road before proceeding onto Conrow Road. It will then turn left on Hartford Road before ending with a ceremony attended by local officials and members of the state Assembly on the Delran High School football field.

"I am amazed at how much Carli's gold medal has brought this town together," Paris said Saturday. "The business association, the athletic association, the police and firemen, contractors -- everyone wants to help. I've never seen so many people offer to do so much."

The parade is expected to include string bands, marching bands, color guards, fire engines and, of course, Lloyd, a 2000 graduate of Delran High School, who scored the lone goal in the U.S. women's soccer team's 1-0 win over Brazil on Thursday to capture the gold medal.

Paris invited the entire Delran community to join in the celebration but acknowledged that soccer enthusiasts from the tri-county region may want to show their appreciation as well.

Asked how many people he expects to attend the event, he said. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Reach Chuck Gormley at cgormley@courierpostonline.com.