Parade

4thFest Parade

About the 4thFest Parade

The 2023 4thFest parade begins at 10:00 am on July 4. The 4thFest parade is the area's largest Independence Day parade.  The annual parade features marching bands, floats, and loads of excitement!

Contact Us

  1. Minda Hamann
    4thFest Parade Committee Chair 
    Email


    4thFest Parade
    July 4 at 10:00 am
    Rain or shine


2023 Grand Marshals
Has Your Family Lived in Coralville for 100 Years?
As part of Coralville’s celebration of Independence Day and 150 years since the city’s incorporation, the 4thFest Committee invites and encourages “Century Families” to serve as marshals in the 2023 4thFest Parade.  

“Century Families” are those whose members have lived in Coralville for 100 years—since 1923—or longer.  Members of a “Century Family” who would like to serve as parade marshals and are available to be in the parade at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, should contact the City of Coralville at 4thFest@coralville.org by May 15.


Parade Route

Check out the two-mile 4thFest parade route, which begins at the intersection of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue.

The parade route begins and ends at the corner of 22nd Avenue and 9th Street. It travels east on 9th Street and 8th Street, south on 14th Avenue, east on 7th Street, south on 12th Avenue, west on 5th Street, north on 20th Avenue, and west on 8th Street.  

Where to Watch

  • Seating along the route is first come, first served. For safety, always stay behind the curb when watching the parade.
  • Seating is not available on 22nd Avenue (parade entries line up on 22nd Avenue).

If You Have Noise Sensitivity:
An area is designated a "limited noise section" of the route.

  • 5th Street from the fire station west until the end of S.T. Morrison Park.
  • To assist those with hearing and sensory needs, entrants should not use sirens or horns in this section of the parade. The area will be marked with signs.
  • Parade organizers communicate this information to parade applicants in writing, but we cannot guarantee any section of the parade will be noise-free.

Parade Lineup

  • The parade features entries from Coralville and surrounding communities. The lineup will be available in late June or early July.

Be in the Parade

  1. Parade Applications
  2. Entrant Information
  3. Animals in the Parade

How to Apply

Minda Hamann
c/o Coralville 4thFest Parade Committee
401 10th Ave.
Coralville, IA 52241
mhamann@westbankstrong.com

  • Paper forms are available at Coralville City Hall, 1512 7th Street.
  • Parade applications are also be emailed to the previous year's entrants
Deadline Is June 1, 2023
  • Completed applications for all entrants must be received by June 1.
  • Parade slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registered Entrants
  • Like Coralville 4thFest on Facebook for parade tips and information.
  • Registered entrants will be contacted with additional information one week prior to the parade.
  • On the day of the parade, all entrants must be in the parking area prior to 9:00 am. Location and details provided one week prior to the parade.
Parade Awards
Awards will be given in the following categories:
  • Best interpretation of theme
  • Best walking group
  • Most patriotic float
  • Grand Marshal's award

Theme

4thFest 2023 celebrates Coralville's 150th anniversary to honor our rich history and bright future. All parade entries should tie into this theme. Be creative! Learn more about Coralville's 150th anniversary

About the logo:

  • Coral in the upper left corner represents our city's namesake. The town was christened "Coralville" for the fossilized corals found in natural rock exposures along the Iowa River, including where the foundation was dug for mills along the river in the 1800s.
  • The wheel in the lower left corner represents Coralville's biking and recreational trails, as well as the river-powered mills of Coralville's early days. It also represents the Mormon pioneers who stayed in Coralville in 1856 and 1857, preparing for a 1,300 mile journey from the Midwest to Utah, towing their belongings in handcarts. 
  • The tree symbolizes Coralville's many parks and open spaces, and the growth of our community.
  • Fireworks in the upper right corner represent our community's festivals and celebrations, including Coralville's 4thFest fireworks.
  • The iconic 1876 schoolhouse in the lower right corner, with its native limestone foundation and cast iron star claps, was where generations of children in Coralville went to school; it is on the National Register of Historic Places and still sits on 5th Street.
  • The vibrant colors of the logo represent the diversity of our community and Coralville's bright future.

A copy of the 2023 theme logo for use with parade floats is available by request. Request logo

 *Standard logo usage guidelines apply: the logo may be proportionately enlarged or reduced in size, but cannot be distorted, compressed, or stretched. Do not alter or modify without authorization from the City of Coralville.

Coralville 150th logo

Rain or Shine
The parade is scheduled to be held rain or shine, except during severe threatening weather conditions. Both people watching the parade and those in the parade should plan accordingly.  

In the event of severe weather that has the potential to impact the public’s safety outdoors, the start of the parade may be briefly delayed or the parade may be cancelled. Because of changing weather conditions, it may be necessary to wait until close to the start time on the day of the parade to make a decision.  Any changes to the parade will be posted at www.coralville.org/news and at www.coralville.org/4thFestParade as soon as possible. 

In the event of cancellation, the parade will not be rescheduled. Hundreds of people volunteer to participate in the parade, so rescheduling the parade for a later date is not possible.

If the parade is held during rain, heat, or other inclement weather, parade entrants and spectators should use their own judgment when deciding to attend or participate.


Learn More