Parade
About the 4thFest Parade
The 4thFest parade begins at 10:00 am 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 10:00 am
Rain or shine
Connect with 4thFest
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 McGregor’s 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 GEICO/McGregor's/LIFEchurch driveway (parade entries line up in this section of 22nd Avenue).
Parade Lineup
- The parade typically includes over 120 entries from Coralville and surrounding communities. The lineup will be available in late June. 2019 parade program (PDF)
If You Have Noise Sensitivity
- What: An area is designated a "limited noise section" of the route (new for 2019).
- 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.
Be in the Parade
Deadline Is June 1
- Completed applications for all entrants must be received by June 1.
- 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 9:00 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 GEICO/McGregor’s/LIFEchurch parking area.
- Be in place by 9:00 am in the GEICO/McGregor’s/LIFEchurch parking lot, 2213 2nd Street. The parade starts promptly at 10:00 am.
- 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. Download the Parade Entrant Lineup Info Packet (PDF)
- 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.
- 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
The 2019 parade theme celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Coralville Fire Department.
A copy of the Coralville Fire Department's 90th anniversary logo for use with parade floats is available by request. Request logo
Note: Standard logo usage guidelines apply. The logo may be proportionately enlarged or reduced in size, but must not be skewed, compressed, stretched, warped, or distorted in any way. The logo cannot be altered or modified without authorization from the City of Coralville.
Parade Dignitaries
Grand Marshals
4thFest honors three Grand Marshals in 2019 as part of this year's parade theme, which celebrates the Coralville Fire Department:
- Gary Kinsinger, former Coralville Fire Chief (1984-2000)
- Dave Stannard, former Coralville Fire Chief (2002-2018)
- Orey Schwitzer, current Coralville Fire Chief (appointed in 2018)
Parade Marshals
The 2019 4thFest parade celebrates the successful 2018-19 season of University of Iowa women's basketball:
- Lisa Bluder, Head Coach
- Jan Jensen, Associate Head Coach
- Abby Stamp, Assistant Coach