Bob Foster calls it the “mother of all parades.”

He’s hoping the Lawrence Sesquicentennial Parade, in September, will draw hundreds of entries and thousands of spectators to downtown Lawrence.

“This has the potential to be the biggest parade we’ll ever see,” said Foster, a Kansas University music professor.

Entry forms now are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 734 Vt., for the parade and the festival that will follow at South Park on Sept. 18, the 150th anniversary of the city’s founding.

Festivities will kick off at 10 a.m., with a parade along Massachusetts Street from downtown to South Park.

Foster says he’s hoping many schools, organizations and businesses will build floats for the parade. The parade also will feature outside groups such as horse-drawn wagons, riding clubs and a mounted unit from Fort Riley.

Foster said the Budweiser Clydesdales also had been invited to participate.

Entry fee for the parade is $25, due by Aug. 1.

From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18, community organizations, businesses and churches will set up booths, games and other presentations at South Park. The event will include birthday cake.

For more information on participating, call 841-6902.