Parade
About the 4thFest Parade
The 2021 4thFest parade begins at 12:00 pm on July 4. The 4thFest parade is the area's largest Independence Day parade. The annual parade features marching bands, floats, and loads of excitement!Contact Us
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Minda Hamann
4thFest Parade Committee Chair
Email
4thFest Parade
July 4 at 12:00 pm
Rain or shine
Connect with 4thFest
Public Health Is a Priority
We are working to ensure that 4thFest 2021 is a safe outdoor celebration that aligns with health guidelines. With ample space to spread out, increasing COVID-19 vaccinations in our community, and careful planning, we are excited to provide a way for our community to safely come together in person. Additional details about guidelines will be released closer to events.
Your responsibilities: If you attend 4thFest, follow public health guidelines for mask wearing, keeping a distance between households, washing hands, and adhering to any other current precautions. If you are not feeling well or have had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, please stay home.
Parade Route
Check out the two-mile 4thFest parade route, which begins at the intersection of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue.The parade route begins and ends at the LIFEchurch parking lot, travels east on 9th Street and 8th Street, south on 14th Avenue, east on 7th Street, south on 12th Avenue, west on 5th Street, north on 20th Avenue, and west on 8th Street.
Where to Watch
- Seating along the route is first come, first served. For safety, always stay behind the curb when watching the parade.
- Seating is not available from the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue north to the LIFEchurch driveway (parade entries line up in this section of 22nd Avenue).
Parade Lineup
- The parade features entries from Coralville and surrounding communities. The lineup will be available in late June or early July.
Be in the Parade
How to Apply
- Apply online, or
- Download a parade application and return it to:
Minda Hamann
c/o Coralville 4thFest Parade Committee
401 10th Ave.
Coralville, IA 52241
mhamann@westbankstrong.com
- Paper forms are available at Coralville City Hall, 1512 7th Street.
- Parade applications will also be emailed to the previous year's entrants
- Completed applications for all entrants must be received by June 15.
- Parade slots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Registered Entrants
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Like Coralville 4thFest on Facebook for parade tips and information.
- Registered entrants will be contacted with additional information one week prior to the parade.
- All entrants must be in the parking area, 2213 2nd Street, prior to 11:00 am.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Best interpretation of theme
- Best walking group
- Most patriotic float
- Grand Marshal's award
Entrant Parking
- Park in the Hy-Vee parking lot or a nearby lot.
- Only parade vehicle entries may be in the staging area at LIFEchurch parking area.
- Be in place by 11:00 am in the GEICO/McGregor’s/LIFEchurch parking lot, 2213 2nd Street. The parade starts promptly at 12:00 pm.
- Know your number in line. Entry numbers are posted around the staging area. Volunteers will be at the entrances.
- Review the packet sent to registered entrants one week prior to the parade.
- Put your cell phone away. Cell phone use (including talking, texting, or taking photos/video) is prohibited when driving a vehicle, riding an animal, or cycling in the parade.
- All entrants driving a motorized vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
- Watch for children. Be careful when driving the route; kids will want to enter the road.
- Keep the pace. Stay directly behind the entry in front of you and leave at least two car lengths
- Do not stop the parade. Performances must be quick and simple.
- Walk to the crowd at the curb to hand things out. Do not throw candy into the street.
- Never encourage spectators to approach your entry or to enter the street.
- Keep it safe. No open flames. All floats must be secure.
- Do not squirt water at spectators.
- Bring water to stay hydrated; the parade route is over two miles long.
- Keep pets safe. Lack of shade, water, and rest on a hot day put pets at risk for overheating. The street surface may be too hot for a pet’s feet to endure through the parade route. See the "Animals in the Parade" tab on this webpage for information before including any pet in the parade
- Respect the"limited noise" part of the parade route. See the "If You Have a Noise Sensitivity" section above.
Please give careful consideration before including any pets or animals in your parade entry:
Heat
- The parade may be hot. Inadequate shade and water, combined with a lack of rest throughout the parade route, may put even healthy pets at risk for overheating.
- The street surface temperature may be too hot for a pet’s feet to endure through the parade route.
- Pet owners should have a backup plan to get their pet shade, water, and rest along the route without stopping the parade.
Safety
- All pets participating in the parade must wear their license tag at all times and must have a current rabies vaccination.
- Pets riding in a parade vehicle must be secured. Animals on a driver’s lap increases the risk of accidents for everyone, including parade spectators.
- Pets walking in the parade must be on a leash at all times. See leash laws
- Owners/handlers are responsible for any injury or damage their pet causes.
- Parade organizers may ask any owner/handler to remove their animal(s) from the parade due to safety or health concerns.
Scoop the Poop
- Owners/handlers are responsible for picking up and properly disposing of their animal’s waste before, during, and after the parade.
Theme
4thFest 2021 celebrates the historic Iowa River Power Building at 1st Avenue and 5th Street along the Iowa River. Tie your parade entry into this theme, or use a theme of your own. Be creative!
A copy of the 2021 theme logo for use with parade floats is available by request. Request logo
If You Have Noise Sensitivity
- What: An area is designated a "limited noise section" of the route.
- Where: 5th Street from the fire station west until the end of S.T. Morrison Park.
- About: To assist those with hearing and sensory needs, entrants should not use sirens or horns in this section of the parade. The area will be marked with signs.
- Note: While parade organizers make every effort to communicate this information to parade applicants, we can not guarantee any section of the parade will be entirely noise free.
Rain or Shine
The parade is scheduled to be held rain or shine. In the event of severe weather that has the potential to impact the public’s safety outdoors, parade organizers and City officials will determine if a delay is necessary. Both people watching the parade and those in the parade should plan accordingly and exercise their own judgement when deciding to attend or participate.