Despite the fact that Dallas' 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade isn't happening until the 21st of September, the time to decide whether or not (and how) DFW BI NET will make an appearance at the Pride Parade is NOW. Here's why:

1. The pride committee releases the parade sign-up forms in early spring, usually in March. They do so very quietly and without fanfare, on their own web site: http://www.dallastavernguild.org/parade_info.asp
2. Forms are processed first-come-first-serve, and the groups who send their forms in the soonest end up the closest to the front of the parade.
3. Being near the front is a good thing, for many reasons. A: Your group doesn't have to wait literally for hours in the sun/rain (we've endured both) waiting your turn and looking the worse for wear as the afternoon goes by. B:You get the pumped-up, enthusiastic, ready-for-a-parade crowd along your route, not the thinned-out crowd left after people get tired and start heading to the after-party at Lee Park. C: You get to finish early, relax, and watch the rest of the parade go by before heading to Lee Park yourselves.
4. To fill out the parade sign-up form, you need to be able to say how many vehicles you intend to use, whether or not you intend to throw something (and sometimes send a sample,) and send in the entry fee, which varies depending on the number vehicles, whether or not you throw things, etc... In other words, you can't fill out the form without knowing what kind of entry you want to have nor the money to pay the entry fee.

I'm guessing we have a few more weeks to make up our minds about this before the sign-up forms are released. It would be to our advantage to know what we want by then.

Any thoughts?