Dear Friends,
Spring is right around the corner and it is time to start planning for the annual Memorial Day Parade. We call on our many friends and organizations in the Tri-State area, to help us make the Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day Parade the #1 Memorial Day Parade in Kentucky. With this year being our 97th , we are hoping to make it a memorable one for our veterans. With your help, we know we will accomplish this.
The parade will begin in Dayton, KY at the Veterans Monument (709 6th Ave) on Monday, May 25th at 10:30 am and end at the Bellevue Veterans Club. There is no required entry fee for your participation. We are asking you and/or your organization to help make our 97th parade the greatest tribute ever to the men and women who gave so much for all of us.
Please complete the enclosed entry form and return it to the undersigned address as soon as possible; then, approximately ten days prior to the day of the parade, you will be notified by regular mail (or e-mail, if provided) of the location of your unit in the parade.
Remember, it is only with your help and cooperation that we can continue with this longstanding tradition. Once again, we are looking forward to your support and thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day Parade Committee
Please send form and/or donations to:
City of Dayton
514 6th Avenue, Dayton, KY 41074
Parade Policies and Guidelines
- Stationary Dance Routines are limited to a max of 30 seconds per performance. Walking routines are preferred to keep the parade moving.
- Floats should not be wider than 10 feet and not powered by lawn mowers. Large commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers must have safety walkers on both sides during the parade route.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
- All motorized vehicles and trailers must have current registration, insurance as required by law, and have a valid driver’s license.
- Entries must be suitable for all ages. The Parade Committee reserves the right to exclude any parade entry based on the description and/or up to the review of the entry the day of the parade.
- All horses must be diapered; clean up after all dogs or pets.
- Please do not allow anyone from the parade crowd to stop your group to pet any animals.
- Please exercise caution when distributing candy, favors or drinks. Do NOT call kids over to your vehicle.
- Please do not spray the crowd with water (No super soakers; Parade Director, City Officials and Public officials may remove you from the parade for noncompliance).
- Please do not dangle feet off trailers and no one should be riding on any hitches of trailers.
- The parade committee will arrange floats based on entertainment, safety, and health as well as registration date of entry.
- Absolutely no entries will be allowed to enter the parade the day of the event.
- Sound system or live music is highly encouraged.
- Remember the theme – “America 250”.
- Parade Directors have final discretion on all entries.
- Deadline to apply is May 18, 2026. Late Applications will be considered but not guaranteed a spot.
Parade Line-Up
- Please make sure you arrive as close to your assigned time as possible to be lined up for the parade (If you are late, you will be put at the back of the parade).
- Please enter from Manhattan Blvd.
- As you are being lined up, keep your group, float, and vehicles to the side of the road (keep the center of the road open).
- Please no drop offs by car in the parade line up location (please park where allowed and walk to your parade float, car, group, etc.).
- Do NOT leave any gaps in the parade line. Keep up with the group in front of you.
Judges
- The judges will be in front of Dayton’s City building.
- It is recommended that if you have music or a routine, etc. that you would like the judges to see, start your performance at the Bellevue-Dayton Fire Department.
