Updated 6.11.26 (Detailed Detour/Parking Map + FAQs below)

Get festive! We will hand out flags and have some fun activities to get decked out for the parade, but we encourage you to wear red, white, and blue. Get creative - check out photo albums from previous years.

To celebrate America250, the nation's Semiquincentennial, get creative with your costumes and decorations! 

We encourage kids of all ages to participate in the parade, knowing that the parade is geared toward youth. Grandparents, parents, and friends, are allowed to accompany their children in the parade. If you are young at heart and meet the spirit of the parade, join in on the fun!

While most participants walk, ride their bike or pull a wagon, a few participants decorate their golf cart, riding lawn mower, tractor, or convertible car. All motorized vehicles should line up on Layton Avenue next to the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center (right side of the street). Please look for signage to direct you.

Note:  There will be a road closure on west-bound Cty Rd 14 between 39th St N (by Lake Elmo Bank) & Lake Elmo Ave (by the former LE Elementary School).

If you can walk or bike to the parade area, we encourage you to do so. If you need to drive and park, please refer to the detailed map for suggested parking spots marked with the (P) Parking symbol. 

Thank you to the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center and Christ Lutheran Church for use of their parking lots.  

The Lake Elmo Kids Parade has been around for 38 years and will continue to be focused on kids. Floats, handouts, and signage promoting businesses/organizations and political interests are not allowed in the moving parade. If you are looking for an opportunity in the future to promote your Lake Elmo-based business or organization, please contact us about post-parade activity opportunities. You may also consider Lake Elmo Night Out in August. 

We will watch the weather closely and communicate updates beginning as early as the afternoon of July 3rd. Any and all updates will be communicated via the Connect Lake Elmo Facebook page and this website (4th of July Event Page). We will also work with the City of Lake Elmo and partner agencies to spread the word about any updates to the event. Look for the  Information tent at Lion's Park.