On behalf of the Homestead Festival Committee, we would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in the Homestead Festival parade on Saturday September 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Princeton, Illinois.

The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. and is approximately two (2) miles in length. The theme for the event is: We Got Spirit! As in previous years, awards will be given in a variety of categories.

Registration is now open and will end at 5 p.m. on August 8th – late entries will not be accepted.

All entries should be unique and authentic. Entries should be floats, bands, musical entries, etc. All entries should be as creative as possible!

Business vehicles used solely for advertising purposes will not be accepted as parade floats. All entries must be decorated and contribute to the festive spirit of the event. Unapproved business vehicles that show up in the parade lineup will be asked to leave. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the parade fun and community-focused for everyone.

To maintain a neutral environment for all attendees, political entries may be limited. Participation will be prioritized during active campaign years, and all political entries must be approved by the Homestead Festival Committee.

Reunion floats are a valued part of our parade tradition, and we encourage every class to get creative with decorations! If your class has a smaller group participating, consider using smaller vehicles like jeeps, go-carts, or side-by-sides. Please avoid using large trailers with only a few participants — let’s keep the energy fun and visually exciting for spectators.

When completing the entry form please keep the announcer’s comments section to 2-3 sentences as our Parade Announcer will only be spending 10-15 seconds on each entry. This is also a very important piece of our parade, so please be sure to fill out this portion of the form.

Thank you for your support of the annual Homestead Festival.

Please email the Homestead Committee at jsullivan@midlandsb.com with any questions.