Opening Day Parade

The annual Smyrna Little League "Opening Day" Parade and Opening Ceremonies are a tradition that dates back nearly 50 years. Every Spring, each team in the park decorates a truck and travels through Smyrna streets from Campbell Middle School (CMS) to Brinkley Park for the season's opening ceremonies. It's truly a memorable experience for everyone.

2026 Timeline:

PARADE:
7:00 - 7:15 AM: Trucks arrive at CMS gym parking lot and line up by division
7:15 - 7:45 AM: Donut Pickup (if pre-ordered - see note below)
7:25 - 7:30 AM: Player Arrival at Trucks (see CMS map at top of page for dropoff areas)
7:30 - 8:00 AM: Truck Decoration
8:00 - 8:15 AM: Parents Departure from CMS (see Brinkley/parking map at top of page for more info)
8:15 - 8:30 AM: Lot Cleanup by Teams/Volunteers
8:30 AM (sharp): Parade Truck Departure from CMS (oldest -> youngest divisions)
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Parade from CMS to Brinkley Park
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Team members escorted (by coaches) from parade vehicles to Hambrick Field for Opening Ceremonies

OPENING CEREMONIES
9:15 - 9:45 AM
**Hambrick Field**
- Team entry: Left field gate (adjacent to Registration building & equipment shed)
- Lineup: Oldest teams (Majors) start on 1st base/RF side -> Youngest (TB) on 3rd base/LF side
**Note new location in 2026!

Things to Know

PARADE:
- WHAT TO WEAR: Players should wear their baseball cap and jersey. It is usually cold, so consider wearing a sweatshirt or other layers underneath for warmth. They may wear baseball pants or sweatshirts, but absolutely NO cleats in the vehicles. Please ensure players are in secure shoes with good traction.

- DONUTS: It's a tradition for teams to order donuts (deadline: Mar. 10) each season to enjoy while decorating the trucks. Donut orders must be placed (typically by team parents, but anyone may order!) and paid for by Tuesday, March 10th. The donuts will be distributed to team parents in the parking spaces adjacent to the front of the building (in the same parade lot) between 7:15 and 7:45 AM.

- WHERE TO PARK FOR DROPOFF: A map is linked at the top of the page for the best places to park for dropping of the players. Please note that all areas are accessible from Atlanta Rd. - accessing the parade vehicle lot from Campbell Rd. will not be possible. Please do NOT park in the new housing parking across Campbell. You will park in this lot and then walk your player to their truck. We encourage you to drop-and-run...to your preferred parking spot along the parade route. Teams will have from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. to decorate their trucks and eat donuts.

- TRUCK DECORATIONS: SLL, Cobb County Schools and the City of Smyrna prohibit any items that could move off a moving vehicle, which includes (but is not limited to): streamers, fringe, latex balloons, or any other loose/dangling decorations. It's recommended teams utilize banners, magnets or decor that can be firmly attached to the truck. Trash bags will be distributed to each truck upon arrival to the lot, and we expect all teams to clean up their areas before departing the school. Trash bags will be handed out to each team upon arrival at CMS. Please take your trash bags with you in the trucks - you may dump them in the Brinkley Park dumpsters. Do NOT leave them at CMS.

- TRUCK RIDERS & SAFETY: Only coaches and designated parents will ride with players in the parade truck. All other family members should find a location along the parade route to cheer on their player. There must be two adults in the back of the vehicles with the TB, PW and RK teams - only one adult is required in the back of the truck with AA and older divisions. Players may NOT stand in the bed of the truck while it is moving. Players may not throw anything from the vehicle, and any items worn by the players (necklaces, sunglasses, etc.) must remain inside the vehicle at all times. Please also ensure baseball caps are secure on your player - many end up on the side of Atlanta Road during the ride to the park!

- THE PARADE ROUTE/WHERE TO PARK & WATCH: Maps for both the parade route and recommended parking locations are also linked at the top of the page. Because Hambrick Field serves as the site for Opening Ceremonies, it's highly recommended to park in the Smyrna First United Methodist lot to watch the parade and then cross Concord to walk over. Note: It's highly recommended you avoid Brinkley Parking lot altogether after 7:45 a.m., and please note that certain areas will be blocked off for parade vehicles only. Please do not park within these spaces, or it will delay the start of Opening Ceremonies. Please do NOT pass between or over the cones that are blocking off parking for parade vehicles.

- TRUCK DRIVER INFO: Trucks need to arrive at Campbell Middle School between 6:45 and 7 a.m. The address is 3295 Atlanta Rd., Smyrna GA. Trucks will enter from the Campbell Road entrance - no access is available from Atlanta Road. There will be board members on site to assist with parking. Each division will park together, and the divisions will be identified by a sign that is placed in the truck's window upon arrival.

OPENING CEREMONIES:

BEFORE THE PARADE:
- COACHES/TEAM PARENTS:
... will escort the players from the parade vehicles to the field for Opening Ceremonies
... will be the only adults permitted on the field prior to the ceremony
... will enter the field from the left field gate and lineup in the outfield.
... will ensure the oldest teams are on the 1B/RF side of the field, while the youngest players will be found closer to the 3B/LF side.

- PARENTS:
...are not permitted on the field until after the ceremony
... will only be permitted to access the field via the left field / outfield gate to connect with their child. No access will be available via the infield gates.
... may sit in the stands that surround the field (first base, third base and the outfield all have seating areas). The field can be viewed from everywhere except directly behind home plate, which is one of the reasons we are utilizing it this season.

AFTER THE PARADE:
- TB, PW and RK players will remain in place in the outfield, and the parents may enter via the left field gate to pick them up following the conclusion of the ceremony.
- Please ensure your coaches know when you are picking up your child to ensure everyone is accounted for.
- AA and older players will be dismissed by their coaches after the ceremony. Cook Field is the recommended pickup point for all of these coaches/families.
- SLL sponsor McEntyre's Bakery is offering a free baseball cupcake to every player who visits while wearing their SLL uniform. Siblings of players also receive a cupcake! We appreciate McEntyre's for their support of Parade Day!
- Any parade vehicles parked in driveways MUST be moved by 11 a.m.

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