FORT WORTH -- The Snowball Express, an annual fete for the families of U.S. military personnel killed in the line of duty since 2001, is scheduled to roll through downtown Fort Worth on its way to the Stockyards on Sunday morning.
It's the first time the Express has come to Fort Worth, and residents are encouraged to turn out to welcome the visitors, expected to number about 1,700.The motorcade with 42 buses starts in Dallas where the families are staying for a four-day weekend.It is expected to pass through Arlington on Interstate 30 about 9:30 a.m. and reach downtown Fort Worth about 10 a.m.The buses will head north on Commerce Street to North Main Street and then into the Stockyards. There they will be led in a "walk of gratitude" along East Exchange Street to a ceremony near the old Swift Armour plant, the organizer said.Mayor Betsy Price and "surprise celebrities" will welcome the families at the Stockyards, said Buck Kern, executive director of the nonprofit Snowball Express, which raises $4 million in in-kind and cash donations annually to pull off the event."We've really opened this up -- notified Rotaries, the chamber, city organizations and invited them to come out," Kern said. "We want these families to see great public turnout."Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said: "People are so excited about this and it's the first time they've been to Fort Worth, and we want to show them Fort Worth cares. Fort Worth people have big hearts."As the buses pass through Arlington, fire department vehicles will be parked on four I30 overpasses -- Texas 360, Collins and Cooper streets and Fielder Road -- and the public can stop there to wave at the motorcade.American Airlines donated nine airplanes that flew families in on Friday, Kern said. One plane came from Fort Hood, others from across the country. Pilots and flight attendants donated their time, Kern said.The families are staying at the Sheraton Dallas, which donated free and discounted rooms, Kern said.Neiman Marcus donated gifts, Chili's and Pizza Hut are sending in meals, and the Gallo wine family flew in employees to help create "lounges" at the hotel featuring basketball hoops and other games.Scott Nishimura, 817- 390-7808Twitter: @JScottNishimuraHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
