The Avenue Easter Parade returns for 30th season

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A long running easter celebration returned to Louisville today. The Avenue Easter Parade hopped off for its 30th season.

At least 75 unique units marched in the parade, including the local chapter of the International Order of Mrs. Roper.

“Why not Mrs. Roper? She is fun. She loves everyone. She's open, and that's what we are.

We say that y'all means all, and we truly are open to all,” said Jennifer Hill, Head Helen Roper.

The character comes from Three’s Company, a tv show from the 70s and 80s. Jennifer hill started the local group on Facebook in June and it already has over 750 followers.

“We are just about having fun. Someone asked me if they could pay me for the work I did for the St. Patrick's Day parade for our group, and I said if I had a penny for every smile that I saw walking the St. Patrick’s day parade, I would be a millionaire. That's all that it's for,” said Hill.

With the show’s theme song on speakers, they marched for about one and a half miles down Frankfort Avenue.

“What's fun is the kids are getting candy and they're smiling. This is for the adults because when they're 45 or over, they know who Mrs. Roper is and they love our group. We've had people walking past us just saying, you all are the best thing in the parade,” Hill said.

The only requirement to walk in this year’s parade was to show up around 70 different units fill the street with music and candy.

“It’s really for us a way to show our diversity together because we have a lot of different groups, a lot of different backgrounds, and they've come together just to have fun and throw candy at kids. Well, to kids, not at kids,” said Scott Endres, parade coordinator.

The International Order of Mrs. Roper’s mission is to get people together and put smiles on their faces.

“We are celebrities … we've already had several people today saying, ‘you guys are my people. Where do I find you?’ I had business cards made to give them out,” said Hill.

Hill said they are planning on attending the pride parade this summer and hopes to continue getting the group involved in the community.

In a few months, Endres said they will start planning the 31st parade.