2023 Parade Update-
ROCHESTERFEST PARADE UPDATE - The parade start time has been tentatively moved up to 1:30pm. The National Weather Service predicts scattered light rain this afternoon with an increase in rain and storm conditions after 4pm. Rochesterfest along with the Rochester Police Department and NWS will continue to monitor the weather conditions. While our goal is to get the parade in before the bad weather arrives, the safety of people both participating and watching the parade is our top priority. Should anything change, we will keep you updated.
Rochesterfest will celebrate its 40th year during the June 17 - 25, 2023 festival. Our theme for Rochesterfest 2023 is “Be A Kid Again!”.
The Rochesterfest 2023 Grand Parade will use a similar route as in 2019, near Soldiers Field Memorial Park and the surrounding neighborhood.
The Grand Parade will take place on Saturday, June 24th at 2pm. The Rochesterfest Parade Committee is now accepting parade applications. If interested, please complete and return a copy of the application form (link below) by April 20.
Please remember that sending in an application does not guarantee a spot in the parade. Sometimes we receive more entries than we have space in the parade, but we try our best to accommodate as many applications as possible. On the application, describe your entry…what will it look like? The decision of our parade committee is based in part on the entertainment value of your unit. You will be notified about your participation status by May 20th.
Thank you for your interest and support for Rochesterfest – Celebration of a City!
Questions? Contact the Rochesterfest office Rochesterfest 507-285-8769 | PO Box 007, Rochester, MN 55903 director@rochesterfest.com / “Rochesterfest” June 17-25, 2023
Click Here for Parade Application
The 2023 Rochesterfest Grand Parade
This year's parade is Saturday, June 24th, 2023 at 2pm.
This year's parade will be live streamed by ABC 6 News
2023 Rochesterfest Chairperson: Kathleen Harrington
2022 Rochester Parade Grand Marshalls: The Youth of Rochester
We will be using the same route that's been used since 2015 (see below). Feel free to find a place anywhere along the route and enjoy!
Parade Route (2023 map)
Here's a time-lapse video of 2015's Rochesterfest Grand Parade:
(video courtesy of BanksPhotos)