This year’s Parade is Thursday, May 29th

Please Review the Application for the 2025 Parade Guidelines

Our Mission is to provide entertainment, broadly defined, or enhance community awareness of those many causes, activities and quirks that are part of the Ithaca community and do this safely with over 2,000 participants in the Parade.

Selection Criteria: We invite all members of the Ithaca community to participate in this, the largest single arts event in the city. The number of applicants often exceeds the number of groups we can safely accommodate in the staging area and also keep the duration under two hours.

Only groups that fulfill the entertain or enhance community awareness will be accepted. The latter can be done using banners, signs, songs, etc., and should positively advocate causes and issues. We do not allow signs or other activities that endorse political candidates or parties, that denigrate other persons or viewpoints, or that in the opinion of Parade organizers are designed to gather attention through negative reaction.

If you have access to an electric vehicle, consider using it in this year’s parade. Together, we can reduce emissions and set the stage for a greener, more eco-friendly future. While this is a suggestion, not a requirement, your choice to go electric could inspire others and help pave the way for a low-emission or even emission-free parade!

Still have questions or concerns prior to applying? Please email our parade team here or IthacaFestivalParade@gmail.com