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.
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