ORLEANS – Time is running out to be a part of the beloved Orleans Dogwood Festival Parade, set to step off this Saturday, April 26th at 2 p.m. Organizers are still accepting last-minute entries for the hometown tradition.
This year’s parade will celebrate the theme “Dogwoods Thrive in 2025” and will be led by two distinguished Grand Marshalls: area Vietnam Veterans and the celebrated Orleans Bulldogs, Class 1A State Champions.
Spectators at the upcoming 2025 55th Annual Orleans Dogwood Festival Parade will once again be treated to a visit from the famed Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Clown Band of Indianapolis. The Clown Band will also perform a brief show just before the parade downtown at the Main Stage on April 26th, starting at 1:00 pm.
The award-winning Indiana State Festival Association will also make a special guest appearance during the event, a 26 ½ foot step van with a custom-designed and colorful ISFA promotion wrap that features the 2025 Indiana Festival Guide Cover and highlights over 70 of Indiana’s festivals, fairs, and events.
A 61-minute custom soundtrack that features fanfares, patriotic, festival, and Hoosier musical selections and announcements, a custom light package, and two bubble machines that produce over 6,000 bubbles per minute makes for a real festive touch.
The parade will follow its traditional route, beginning at Orleans High School, which will also serve as the staging area. Participants can start lining up at 11:00 a.m., with the lineup concluding at 1:00 p.m. Judging of the various units will begin at approximately 1:00 p.m.
The procession will travel down Maple Street (SR 37 S.), making its way through the historic downtown area. It will pass the reviewing stand before turning onto West Jackson Street at the Orleans Christian Church.
Spectators are reminded that parking will be prohibited along the entire main parade route from early Saturday morning until after the event concludes that afternoon.
Those interested in participating in this year’s parade can obtain entry forms by visiting the official Dogwood Festival website at www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com. Forms are also available at The Orleans Progress Examiner and the Orleans Town offices.
For more details about the parade, please get in touch with Parade Chair Jennifer Blanton at 812-797-2847.
