Hastings Summerfest Grand Parade (Registration)

Hastings Summerfest Grand Parade (Saturday): August 29

For parade float entries, walking groups, and other parade participants:

• Check-in and line-up for the parade starts 10:00am

• Line up starts at Hayes and State Street, under the tent

• 2026 Theme: "Happy Birthday America"

Summerfest Parade Rules:

1. The main objective of the Summerfest parade is to entertain, promote the community of Hastings and all of Barry County, and  to celebrate summer.

2. All parade entries must be submitted using the form on this landing page.

3. The Summerfest Parade's Committee has the final decision on the suitability of entries to the parade.  Notification or rejection is made as soon as possible but no later than 8 hours before parade time.

4. Political candidates are allowed; however, they must follow these rules:

   • They must be an officially announced candidate

   • A poster or banner must contain their name and the office for which they are running.

5. Political, social, and "other issues" are not considered for parade entries.

6. Horses and riders are welcomed to appear with the following restrictions:

   • Horses must be of good temperament and able to deal with being around large crowds.

   • Riders should be experienced and knowledgeable of handling their animals.

   • Horse units must provide for and take care of any cleanup necessary from the time they arrive until their unit begins to move along the parade route.  Parade route clean-up is provided.  No parade lineup clean-up or post parade clean-up  is provided.

7. Motor vehicles must travel the entire route at parade speed, without breakdowns.  Check your cooling systems ahead of time.

8. Float participants shall not ride and/or perform on floats when:

   • Exposed to open rotary equipment, belts, pulleys, and other such devices.

   • Devices and/or platforms not well secured while participants are sitting, standing, and/or performing.

   • Handrails and/or grab bars have not been provided.

   • Parade participants shall not throw and/or distribute material from floats during the parade.  Tossing of candy, gum, flowers, etc. from the mobile units is prohibited.  Walkers cannot throw candy.  Walkers need to walk over the crowd and distribute candy by throwing it at their feet or handing it directly to parade watchers.

   • Dancing and/or similar activities is not allowed when the float is in motion.

   • An adult must accompany children under 12 years old.

   • Persons walking with a float must stay 10 feet away, on all sides.

   • Fire extinguishers are recommended for all floats.

9. Lineup begins at 10:00am. Check-in is located at the corner of State & Hayes streets, under a pop-up tent.  Someone from your group must check-in to receive your line-up position.  Experience has shown us that we need this time to properly prepare a well-organized parade.

10. The parade begins at 11:30am on Saturday -- rain or shine.  Please help by observing the above time requirements.

11. Everyone who enters is recognized.

12. If you have a large group, please have an established meeting place, and have one person register your entry.

13.  If you have walkers, they must be ready to walk at step-off.  You cannot drive them towards the front, and then unload -- this results in large gaps.

14. Remember to stay right behind the entrant in front of you, not right in front of the entrant behind you!

Thank you for considering the Hastings Summerfest parade -- we look forward to reviewing your application!

The Hastings Summerfest Parade is subject to cancellation and the rules are subject to amendment due to weather, sickness, accidents, riots, labor disputes or strikes, epidemics, acts of nature or public enemy, governmental order, law or regulation, or any other legitimate concerns beyond the control of either party in agreement.