Cheer on local clubs, organizations, youth groups and more at the 35th annual Maple Grove Days Parade on July 16. Photos: Maple Grove Community Organization
Jason Pruhs says the incredible turnout is one of his favorite aspects of the Maple Grove Days Parade. “It’s just crazy to me how many people actually show up for this parade,” says the Maple Grove Community Organization parade co-chair, citing the city’s most recent estimate of 10,000 attendees. “That’s the reason I do it. It’s really rewarding.”
The parade, which has followed the same 1.8-mile route since 1992, actually predates Maple Grove Days. “The parade got started, and then later on it was, ‘Let’s do a festival around this as well,’” Pruhs says. Parade-watchers gather along 89th Avenue to enjoy marching bands, cheer on local clubs and—of course—collect candy. Pruhs says that the rule of thumb for crowd safety is to stay behind the yellow line, adding, “The candy will come to them.”
The parade kicks off at 6:10 p.m. July 16 with area politicians and elected officials starting off the march, followed at 6:30 p.m. by local businesses, youth groups, the Maple Grove Ambassadors and more. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Pruhs says the parade’s grand marshal will be Vietnam veteran Harland Anderson. Find a full itinerary for Maple Grove Days at mgco.org. —Madeline Kopiecki
