Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Grand Parade has been postponed until September 18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

The Grand Parade traditionally kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday during the Murphysboro Apple Festival. The parade route follows Walnut street and stretches from 21st Street to 7th Street. The Grand Parade draws around 15,000 visitors each year, so we recommend that you arrive early. The parade typically lasts 2.5-3 hours.

For those taking part in the parade, Line-up is at 9:30 am. at the following locations:

• Floats/units: Line-Up by unit number around Murphysboro Middle School (2125 Spruce Street)
• Marching Bands line-up at Longfellow Park (Between 2000 and 2100 block of Logan Street
• All Participants: Please make sure to follow the detailed directions for line-up sent to you after you registered.

Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Grand Parade has been postponed until September 18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

You can watch the Grand Parade anywhere along the parade route on Walnut street, from 21st street to 7th street.
Please be respectful of the private property of homes and businesses located along the parade route.

We have a special accessible viewing area for those with disabilities. It is located in front of the Murphysboro Event Center, directly adjacent to the handicapped parking spaces in the Regions Bank parking lot.

Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Murphysboro Apple Festival has been postponed until September 15-18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

Public parking lots located at:

• Corner of Locust and 11th Street
• 200 block of North 11th and North 12th street beside the Post office
• Public parking spots along city streets as allowed by law. Please respect all posted 'No Parking' signs.

Note: Parking is prohibited along Walnut Street during the Kiddie Parade Friday afternoon and from Friday night until the end of the Grand Parade Saturday afternoon. When parking on city streets, please do not block driveways, alleys, or entrances to parking lots.

Handicapped parking is available during the Festival in the Regions Bank parking lot. There are four spaces available on the west side of Regions Bank and five spaces available on the south side. These spaces will be available after 4 pm Wednesday through Friday, and all day Saturday during the Apple Festival.

Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Murphysboro Apple Festival has been postponed until September 15-18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

Visit the Kiwanis General Store in the concessions area near the Appletime Stage for locally grown apples and apple treats, including apple cider, apple butter, applesauce, smoothies, and gourmet caramel apples.

Visit the Appletime Bakery on South 13th street for freshly baked apple treats, including apple pie… either whole or by the slice.

If you’re in the mood to visit a working orchard while you’re in the area for the Apple Festival, nearby choices include our generous providers Mileur’s Orchard on route 149 west of Murphysboro and Rendleman’s Orchard on Route 127 south, near Alto Pass.

Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Apple Festival Funland will not open until September 15-18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

A limited number of advance ride tickets for the Apple Festival Funland are made available for cash-only purchase approximately 1 month before the Festival. Tickets are only available at the Murphysboro Apple Festival Office (110 South 14th Street), or at Wright Building & Design (208 S. Williams Street). After advance ride tickets sell out, ride tickets may be purchased on-site at the Apple Festival Funland during operating hours.

Other ticketed events:

• A Taste of Murphysboro – Postponed until 2021 Only available at the Murphysboro Apple Festival Office (110 South 14th Street). Proceeds from this event fund the Murphysboro Apple Festival Scholarship.
• Drums at Appletime – Postponed until 2021 Cash-only admission fee collected at the gate. No advance ticket sales.
• Miss Apple Festival and Prince & Princess Pageant - Postponed until 2021 Available for pre-purchase at the Murphysboro Apple Festival Office. Also available for purchase at the door.

Due to COVID-19 safety and health restrictions, the Murphysboro Apple Festival has been postponed until September 15-18, 2021, so please make your plans to join us then!

Buy a T-shirt, hat, button, a mug, or a Captain Applesauce souvenir to commemorate your visit to the Murphysboro Apple Festival at the Appletime Emporium, in the middle of the carnival area just off Walnut street at South 13th Street. Please note, the Emporium is closed during the Grand Parade.

We’re so glad you asked! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Murphysboro Apple Festival, Inc. is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations and bequests. Please consider making a donation to support our mission to provide an annual family-friendly community street festival for residents and visitors to southern Illinois.

Donate online here.

We are a volunteer-run organization and enjoy welcoming new faces every year! Here are a few suggestions:

• Become one of our Partners - many sponsorship opportunities available
• Recruit your group to volunteer or participate in one of our many events or contests
• Participate in or attend one of our more than 30 contests and events
• Join one of our committees and help shape the future of the Murphysboro Apple Festival

Please contact us about how you’d like to contribute to one of southern Illinois’ richest traditions.