Parade staging
Line up on Swift Street.
Everything your entry needs on parade morning: when to arrive, where to check in, the rules on the route, and how to get out afterward. These are the 2026 details; the 2027 staging letter goes to every registered entry in February.
Parade morning
Staging opens at 8 a.m. The parade steps off at 11.
Entries stage on Swift Street between 10th and 16th Avenues. Each entry gets a staggered staging window in its letter to keep the street moving, so please arrive in yours. In 2026 the windows were 8:00–8:45, 8:45–9:30 and 9:30–10:15 a.m.
Check in
Find your Parade Section Leader, pick up your staging number, and post it on the left (driver's) side of your entry. Make sure everyone in your group knows the number.
Sections A and B
Section A lines up on the west side of Swift and leads the parade. Section B lines up on the east side and follows.
Getting there
For GPS, use the Burlington Northern Community Credit Union, 1002 Swift St. No parking or drop-offs in staging; only parade vehicles.
School buses
Park at 16th & Gentry (north lot on 16th), then walk students to staging.
On the route
Keep it safe and keep it moving.
- Absolutely no throwingWalk and hand out candy instead. Entries that throw may be barred from future parades.
- Six feet from the crowdStay six feet from spectators on both sides.
- Keep paceOnly Performance entries may stop to perform.
- Vehicle limitsTwo vehicles per entry (a truck pulling a trailer counts as one). Car clubs up to 24, motorcycle clubs up to 75, without prior approval.
- RowsMotorcycles up to three across; car clubs two across.
- AnimalsYour group scoops up after its animals. Horses need two people following.
- Alcohol-freeNo alcohol in staging or in the parade.
- Quiet near animalsDrums, live music and speakers: please be considerate of animal groups while staging.
After the parade
Dispersal and awards.
Continue on Howell and turn right on 16th, then turn left onto Erie or Gentry to head south. Please don't stop on these streets; it backs up the whole parade. Awards and prize money are handed out at 3 p.m. at the North Kansas City YMCA, so plan to be there to collect yours.
Documents
Maps, lineup and rules.
- Staging and logistics map (PDF)Where each section lines up, plus the route.
- 2026 staging order (PDF)Every 2026 entry by name with its section and number.
- 2027 parade rules (PDF)The full Rules and Regulations.
- Judging criteria (PDF)How the six judges score theme, presentation and sound.
- Route and parking mapThe official 2026 map.
From the organizers' Parade Staging page and 2026 staging letter. 2027 versions replace these when the board publishes them.