Parade

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 corner of 22nd Avenue and 9th Street. It 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 on 22nd Avenue (parade entries line up on 22nd Avenue).

Parade Lineup

The parade features entries from Coralville and surrounding communities.
Download the 2022 4thFest Parade Program (PDF)

Entrant Information
Animals in the Parade
Parade Applications

Before the Parade

Review the packet sent to registered entrants one week prior to the parade.
Download the Parade Entrant Lineup Info Packet (PDF).

Entrant Parking

Park in the Hy-Vee parking lot or a nearby lot.
Only parade vehicle entries may be in the staging areas.

Lineup (new lineup locations for 2022)

Be in place by 9:00 am in your assigned location. There are three staging areas:
- Staging Area 1: Plaza West parking lot (871-899 22nd Avenue, just north of Central State Bank)
- Staging Area 2: Central State Bank parking lot (805 22nd Avenue)
- Staging Area 3: South and west parts of the Hobby Lobby parking lot (2050 8th Street)
- Select entries will line up on 22nd Avenue, north of the staging areas
Know your number in line. Entry numbers are posted around the staging area. Volunteers will be at the entrances.
The parade starts promptly at 10:00 am.

How to Get to the Staging Areas

Enter from 21st Avenue and 8th Street, or from 22nd Avenue, from the north.
There will not be access to 22nd Avenue from Highway 6. See the map in the info packet.

During 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.

Theme

4thFest 2022 celebrates the historic "Coralville Strip" on Highway 6. Tie your parade entry into this theme, or use a theme of your own. Be creative!

About the theme: Sometime after 1950, the stretch of U.S. Highway 6 through Coralville became known as "The Strip." It developed into a major thoroughfare for travelers as automobile travel and tourism increased, and became well-populated with motels, restaurants, service stations, and businesses. "The Strip" had a considerable impact on Coralville's growth, and remains an important part of Coralville today.

About the logo: With mid-century style graphics, the logo is a nod to the early years of The Strip. The sign mimics the sign of the Carousel Inn and Restaurant -- which was previously another local landmark, Loghry's Drive-In and Cafe -- at the corner of 1st Avenue and Highway 6. The Strip was known for the mixture of business signs that popped up along Highway 6 against a backdrop of utility poles along the roadway.

A copy of the 2022 theme logo for use with parade floats is available by request. Request logo

*Standard logo usage guidelines apply: the logo may be proportionately enlarged or reduced in size, but cannot be distorted, compressed, or stretched. Do not alter or modify without authorization from the City of Coralville.

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. Both people watching the parade and those in the parade should plan accordingly and use their own judgment when deciding to attend or participate.

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 brief delay is necessary. Because of changing weather conditions, may be necessary to wait until close to the start time on the day of the parade to make that decision.

In the event of cancellation, the parade will not be rescheduled. Hundreds of people volunteer to participate in the parade, so rescheduling the parade for a later date is not possible.