ShopGive
2020 Events Postponed. Join us September 15-18, 2021. Click here to view the announcement.
← View all Events

Grand Parade

Saturday, September 14, 2024 11:00AM - 1:00PM

"In Our Apple Era"

The Apple Festival Grand Parade is one of the longest in Illinois with fire engines, marching bands, floats, visiting royalty, horses, and many other unique entries. Over 100 units make this parade truly GRAND and are enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year.

Featured 2024 Parade Participants

Grand Parade Marshal

Len Novara

Founder's Award Recipient

Ron Manwaring

Benefactor Award Recipient

Crain Funeral Homes, Bryan & Stacey Crain

2023 Apple Festival Royalty

Miss Apple Festival

Lilly Rudolph

Apple Festival Prince & Princess

Kyren Duane Lee Adams & Marcella Haney


2023 Grand Parade Results

FLOATS

Business/Industry

  1. Murphy-Wall State Bank & Trust Co.
  2. Country Financial - Jamie Green
  3. LifeThrive

Youth Groups/Classes

  1. St. Andrew School

Clubs/Organizations

  1. Jackson County Farm Bureau
  2. Carbondale United
  3. General John A. Logan Museum

Individuals/Churches

  1. Apostolic Life Church

Best Float

  • Murphy-Wall State Bank & Trust Co.

Most Beautiful Float

  • Murphy-Wall State Bank & Trust Co.

Most Original Float

  • Country Financial - Jamie Green

MARCHING BANDS

Class Jr. High/Middle School

  1. Pinckneyville Junior High School
  2. Anna Junior High School
  3. Du Quoin Middle School
    Drum Major: Pinckneyville
    Auxiliary: Du Quoin
    Percussion: Anna

Class B

  1. Cobden Jr/Sr High School
  2. Norris City High School
  3. Trico Jr/Sr High School
  4. Shawnee Jr/Sr High School
    Drum Major: Trico
    Auxiliary: Norris City
    Percussion: Trico

Class A

  1. Kelly High School (Benton, MO)
  2. Pinckneyville High School
    Drum Major: Kelly
    Auxiliary: Pinckneyville
    Percussion: Pinckneyville

Class AA

  1. Harrisburg High School
  2. Massac County High School
    Drum Major: Harrisburg
    Auxiliary: Harrisburg
    Percussion: Massac County

Class AAA

  1. Centralia High School
    Drum Major: Centralia
    Auxiliary: Centralia
    Percussion: Centralia
Brought to you by

WHEN:
Line-up: 9:30 AM
Parade Steps-Off: 11:00 AM
Awards for Floats: Conclusion of parade after votes are tallied
Awards for Bands: Conclusion of Drums at Appletime

WHERE: Downtown Murphysboro
Line-Up: by unit number around Mboro Middle School
Marching Bands Line-Up: Longfellow Park
Parade Route: Walnut Street from 21st Street to 7th Street
Awards for Floats: Announced on Socials and listed here
*Grand Parade Chair will also contact winners via email*
Awards for Bands: Murphysboro High School's E.L. 'Doc' Bencini Field

EVENT CHAIRS: Debbie Glodo & Bob Hall


Parade Entry Applications by Email
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

FLOATS, WALKING GROUPS, POM/DANCE GROUPS, VISITING ROYALTY, & VEHICLES
Submit your application by email to:
Debbie Glodo - glodosd@yahoo.com

Please include the following information:

  1. Group/entrant - name, phone number, mailing address (address, city, zip)
  2. Type of unit - choose one: FLOAT, WALKING GROUP, POM/DANCE, VISITING ROYALTY, VEHICLES
  3. Description of entry
  4. 5-6 sentences describing the entry to be read as unit passes the reviewing stand

This email will serve as your application. When all four pieces of required information listed above have been received, your application will be confirmed by email.


Parade Guidelines

  • No advertising - Businesses may: 1.) build a themed float or, 2.) become an Event Partner of the Murphysboro Apple Festival. Please call or email the Apple Festival Offices for more information on partnership opportunities - Phone: 618.684.3200 - Email: murphysboroapplefestival@gmail.com
  • No objects may be thrown from moving vehicles during the parade nor may vehicles stop to throw items!
  • No political units or political sponsors - The Grand Parade Committee will continue the long-standing tradition of inviting the current Murphysboro Police Chief, Fire Chief, Mayor, City Aldermen and women, and the Jackson County Sheriff to participate in the parade by riding in vehicles at the front of the parade.
  • Reviewing Stand - Located at 13th Street and Walnut Street, on the north side of the intersection, as a part of the Arts & Crafts Fair entryway.
  • Float Judging - By a panel of judges located at the Reviewing Stand. Cash awards for top floats.

Questions?

Contact Debbie Glodo
Email: glodosd@yahoo.com


Marching Bands

Marching Bands interested in participating in the Grand Parade and/or Drums at Appletime®, please visit the Drums at Appletime® page for more information.


The Murphysboro Apple Festival has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures and has added additional handwashing stations and sanitizing stations throughout the Festival grounds. Please follow all recommended guidelines while attending the Festival in order to keep it fun and safe for everyone!

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram