A dedication ceremony will be occurring Thursday, Sept. 14, for the 100 percent mortgage-free home that was built for U.S. Army SSG Justin Raymer and his family. The home came to fruition through a partnership between Operation Finally Home; the Builder’s Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties; builder of record and committee chairman John Kidd of R.W. Kidd Construction; and the more than 140 area businesses and individuals who donated building materials, skilled labor, cash, and/or volunteered to help complete this home. The home will also be featured in the 2017 Homes on Parade, Sept. 15-17. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — The Builder’s Association of Kosciusko Fulton Counties’ annual Homes on Parade runs from Sept. 15-17, and this year it is kicking off Thursday, Sept. 14, with a special dedication at its completed Operation Finally Home building project, located at 2613 E. Ontario Lane, Warsaw — in the Shadow Lakes addition. The home was built 100 percent mortgage-free for U.S. Army SSG Justin Raymer and his family.

The public is welcome to attend this event from 5:45-8 p.m and might even want to come early to purchase food from Head2Hock, a Fort Wayne-based food truck, which will be set up around 5 p.m. Tippy Creek Winery will also be set up. The dedication will feature Danny Wallrath, CEO/founder of Operation Finally Home, as a speaker and will also allow attendees to get a sneak peek of the home prior to the official start of the Homes on Parade. The home, which is home No. 1 in the parade book, will then be viewable throughout the parade.

After the dedication, there will be a celebration concert hosted at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts featuring nationally known country music star Jason Michael Carroll. The celebration concert starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $10 at the box office or online at www.wagonwheelcenter.org. The concert is free for all veterans, who must pick up tickets at the box office.

The next day is the official start of the parade, and tour hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. There are nine custom-built entries on display this year, and they offer visitors a chance to see the latest in home design and interior decorating.

The BAKFC 2017 Homes on Parade will occur Sept. 15-17. Parade books can be found at advance ticket sales location, homes featured in the parade and online, www.bakfc.com. (Photo provided)

Located in the surrounding areas of Warsaw and Syracuse, the eight homes and one commercial office building are positioned on lakes, country roads and in quiet subdivisions. Seven BAKFC member builders are participating in the tour: R.W. Kidd Construction, TL Jackson Construction, Granite Ridge Builders, Renewal Homes, Coplen Construction, Milestone Construction and Signature Building & Design. Each builder has brought something different to the parade, from a state-of-the-art medical facility to spacious family homes, cottages, Craftsman-style architecture, a vintage-style farmhouse and more.

“The builders whose entries are featured in this year’s parade are some of the most sought-after builders in northern Indiana,” Trisha Steger, executive officer of the BAKFC, said. “Parade goers will see why they’re so popular upon touring their homes. Each entry features the unique tastes of its homeowner — paired with the expert skill and craftsmanship of each builder and designer. These are truly magnificent homes that should not be missed.”

The event includes a People’s Choice Award and prize. Visitors may vote for their favorite parade home on the back of their tickets, which they will then leave at the last home they visit. Completed tickets are then entered into a $100 Visa gift card prize drawing.

Steger noted, “People’s Choice voters must obtain a unique stamp at the door of each parade entry in order to vote.”

Homes on Parade tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance at Martin’s Super Markets in Warsaw; New Market in North Webster and Syracuse; and at each Owen’s location in Warsaw. Admission is free for children — 6 and under — and admission is also free for veterans and active duty. Tickets will be available at each parade home during the event. The parade books will be available at advanced ticket sales locations, each home featured in the parade and online, www.bakfc.com.

This year’s Homes on Parade is sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank and Kosciusko REMC.