Community members and organizations will unite on Saturday, Sept. 17, for the Affton Days Parade and Festival.

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, this year’s theme is “Affton Honors Those Who Served.”

The parade is expected to feature many floats honoring the police department, the fire department and the military, according to a news release. The event is sponsored by the Affton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with St. George Parish.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Affton High School, 8309 Mackenzie Road, travel south on Mackenzie to Gravois Road and head east on Gravois to the St. George Catholic Church parking lot at Heege and Gravois roads.

Music from local high school bands and the entries from various schools, churches, businesses and organizations will be featured. Chief Tim Fitch and Capt. Mike Dierkes of the St. Louis County Police Department are expected to lead the parade along with the County Police Honor Guard and Bagpipers.

Following the lead car will be the VIP convertibles carrying the chamber President Maureen Clancy-May, Superintendent of the Bayless School District; the 2010 Business Person of the Year, Suzanne Welker, manager of Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes and the 2010 Citizen of the Year, Eugene Haessig, from the Affton Christian Food Pantry.

The festival booths will open at 11 a.m., and the festival officially will begin at noon with the singing of the National Anthem by County Council Chairman Steve Stenger. The festival will offer activities for all ages to enjoy, including food, games, inflatable rides, a climbing wall, entertainment and a beer garden.

An entertainment schedule is available on the chamber’s website,

. The SMASH Band will entertain from 5 p.m. until the close of the festival at 9 p.m. Other entertainment acts are pending.

Parade and booth applications also are available on the chamber website. For more information, contact the chamber at (314) 849-6499.