CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The city will briefly close entrances to Yoctangee Park, along with Enderlin Circle and Alexander Road, twice on Friday morning to make way for the annual M.A.D.E. Drug Free Rally, a march by area students.
The closures are set for 9:45 to 10 a.m. and again from 11 to 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 30, according to a notice posted by the city of Chillicothe. Drivers were advised to plan alternate routes through downtown during those windows.
The rally is organized through Drug Free Clubs of America, a national program known locally by the acronym M.A.D.E., which stands for “My Attitude Determines Everything.” Students who join the club pledge to live drug-free and agree to submit to random drug testing in exchange for an ID card that grants access to school events and discounts at participating local businesses. Ross County is home to one of the program’s largest chapters, and its rally has become an annual fall tradition, with students from Chillicothe and surrounding districts marching through downtown in a show of commitment to staying off drugs.
The route typically begins at Yoctangee Park before continuing past Enderlin Circle toward downtown, which is why the city said those roadways will see the short closures Friday morning.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the city of Chillicothe.
