Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell today announced that 47 groups from across the Commonwealth will be participating in Virginia's Inaugural parade Saturday. The parade will take place immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, starting at approximately 1:15 p.m.

The parade line-up will include a number of organizations with personal connections to Virginia's 71st Governor. His American Legion Post from Virginia Beach will join the parade, as will his high school alma mater, Bishop Ireton in Alexandria.

The Governor-elect's youngest daughter's college will be represented by the James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes. And Virginia's next First Lady, Maureen McDonnell, will wave to the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Alumni Association and Hoggettes, and the Washington Redskins Marching Band.

Virginia's rich history and diverse culture will be highlighted throughout the parade. Dancers from all eight Virginia Tribes will take part. As will the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum, the Hope Chinese School, the Virginia Asian Associations, and the Monticello High School Marching Band.

The parade will also feature the Virginia Tech Highty-Tighties, the Virginia State University Marching Band and the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets.

The Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership from Staunton will also be marching in the parade.

In keeping with the Inaugural theme of "A Commonwealth of Opportunity", and the Inaugural's partnerships with both the Virginia Federation of Food Banks and The Salvation Army, the Governor-elect asks that parade observers bring non-perishable food items and coats to donate to their fellow Virginians. Labeled bins will be placed at two entrances to Capitol Square: Grace Street between 8th and 9th Streets, and at Governor Street and 12th Street.

This year's Inaugural parade has been extended in order to better accommodate families with small children. The expanded route will allow the general public to observe the parade not just at the State Capitol, but also along the streets of Richmond.

The parade will commence at the corner of East Grace Street and 8th Street. It will travel east down Grace Street, onto the Capitol Grounds and process around the Capitol past the reviewing stands. The parade will then continue west on Franklin Street, concluding at East Franklin Street and 6th Street.