Parade

Iowa's largest parade kicks off Iowa's largest summer celebration, the Iowa State Fair. Held the night before the Iowa State Fair each year, thousands gather to watch high school marching bands, floats, cool cars and special causes as they stroll through downtown Des Moines.

From people to fun, the Iowa State Fair parade is the perfect start to make sure that Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair.

Enjoy the Fair with Fairfield and Rosetta!

Entry Forms

General: Entry fee is $30. Entries submitted after July 1 will have an additional late fee of $15.
Horse: Entry fee is $50. Entries submitted after July 1 will have an additional late fee of $15.
Marching Band: Entries submitted after July 1 will have a late fee of $15.
No entries will be accepted after July 15.

Online Parade Entry

Online Entry Instructions

Click SIGN IN at the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
Select EXHIBITOR from drop-down menu.
Create an account and establish a password.
The EXHIBITOR is the contact person where all correspondence will be sent.

For questions, please contact the Iowa State Fair Special Events Department: lley@iowastatefair.org or 515-262-3111 x282.

The parade will begin at 6:15 p.m. in downtown Des Moines on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Spectators will be able to watch an estimated 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units. Staging will take place at the State Capitol Complex. The parade route starts at the State Capitol Complex and marches west on Grand to 15th Street. The parade will be broadcast live on Iowa PBS starting at 6:15 p.m.

Parade Marshals by Year

2000 — Gary Wergin and Mark Pearson
2001 — Nick Ackerman
2002 — Josh Boehm and Andrew Paul
2003 — Charlie Wittmack
2004 — Public Television’s Arthur the Aardvark, Iowa astronaut Loren Shriver, Mary Kranovich (the Fair’s “floss candy girl”) plus representatives from the Calvin Thornton family (who originally owned the land that is now the Fairgrounds)
2005 — Bernie Saggau
2006 — Bill Riley
2007 — Bill and Susan Knapp
2008 — Peggy Whitson
2009 — Shawn Johnson
2010 — Colonel Robert C. King
2011 — Sarah Pratt
2012 — Don Greiman
2013 — Clearfield Lions and John Putney
2014 — The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
2015 — Arlette Hollister
2016 — Dorothy Faidley
2017 — Leroy and Pat Perkins
2018 —Delbert Routh
2019 — Roger Miller
2021 — Joe Barksdale and Al and Nita Fincham
2022 — Denny and Candy Elwell
2023 — Regina Pirtle
2024 — Don Hummel