87th North Iowa Band Festival Parade

Visit the North Iowa Band Festival Page for all information! 

AWARDS
• Grand Marshal Award – For best use of the 2026 North Iowa Band Festival theme “Bands, Birthdays, and Brass”, based on originality, public appeal, craftsmanship/artistic quality.
• Mr. Toot Award – For best use of any theme based on originality, public appeal, craftsmanship/artistic quality.
PARADE ENTRY RULES & REGULATIONS

• For the safety of all, candy, printed material, or other handouts may NOT be thrown from vehicles.  Giveaway items must be handed to spectators by walking members of the parade entry.
• NO candy, printed material or other type of handout may be distributed in the Judging Zone on the parade route. This is approximately 1.5 blocks from the beginning of the parade, and ends just past the KIMT studio.  This area is the designated judging zone for the high school marching bands, royalty, and floats. Items may be distributed after the entry passes this area.
• Any entry handing out candy, printed material, or other handouts MUST walk along the white line of the bike bath. This is for safety of both spectator and parade entry.
• Entries may not be political in nature or be used to advance any political or social issue. Political parties or cause-based organization should spell out exact verbiage of signage, shirts, and float design and submit to Festival Coordinator for approval.
• Elected officials currently serving in city, county, state, and national office are permitted to appear in the parade as dignitaries, and may be identified solely by name and current office.
• A description of the entry MUST be included on the reverse side of this form.
• Entries with animals MUST have a clean up crew following them.
• Squirt guns or devices that spray water are prohibited.
• NO vehicles or units making excessive noise are allowed.
• Any entry deemed in poor taste or offensive to the general public will not be allowed to participate. Keep in mind the North Iowa Band Festival parade is part of a family festival and every unit should be appropriate for this audience. • NO parade entry can exceed 11 feet in height (measured from ground level). • Each unit MUST have an entry form and parade number. Parade entry numbers will be assigned and sent to the contact name on the entry registration. It is the contact’s responsibility to share that number with all parties in the unit.
• Parade order is up to the sole discretion of the parade organizers.
• It is the responsibility of each entry to maintain a reasonable pace to eliminate gaps in the flow of the parade. Volunteer parade marshals will be stationed along the parade route to keep the parade moving.
• Parade marshals are volunteers. All entries must follow their direction during the parade.
• Any parade entry with children under the age of 18 MUST have adult supervision on the float/entry at all times. Adult supervision MUST be someone other than the driver.
• All entrants MUST carry adequate insurance coverage and be driven by a competent, licensed driver. The parade contact is responsible for informing drivers of the entry number, line-up locations, and pick-up area.
• Festival organizers reserve the right to refuse any entry.