Posted: Sunday, March 28, 2010 12:01 am

National Census Day is upon us.

Thursday is the big day and if you haven’t completed and mailed your form, there’s no time like the present.

To commemorate National Census Day, Rutherford County government is celebration from 3-6 p.m. Thursday at Smyrna Recreation Park on Enon Springs Road.

National Census Representative Cameron Parrish will making the opening remarks at 3:15 p.m. to be followed by the Smyrna High School ROTC Color Guard, National Anthem, remarks by public officials and cake.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

On April 10, volunteers include sororities and community leaders will hold the March to the Mailbox Campaign from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The parade starts at Green House Ministries and heads down State Street into the neighborhoods.

“Come parade through the streets of Murfreesboro to encourage citizens to come out and complete their Census Forms,” Rutherford County Census Community Coordinator Terry Cunningham said.

Returning a completed Census questionnaire is important because state populations determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Tennessee General Assembly, as well as distribution of federal funds.

On the state level, Tennessee uses official population figures to calculate the amount of state-shared revenue cities and counties receive.

To help every household complete the census form, 15 informational sites will be set up across the county where workers will answer questions about the forms.

If the initial form isn’t filled out and returned, a follow-up form will be mailed out. And if that form isn’t returned Census employees will go around knocking on doors.