Aquatennial Torchlight Parade Entry Application
  • PARADE DATE - WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026

  • Start Time: 7:30 pm

    Location: Minneapolis – Downtown Minneapolis

    Parade Route: The Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade travels through the heart of downtown Minneapolis, featuring a vibrant nighttime route filled with illuminated entries, marching bands, floats, specialty units, and community organizations.

    Anticipated Attendance: 100,000+

    Parade organizers will review and approve all applicants. Notification of acceptance will be sent via email.

    The Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade is one of the premier summer parade events in the Midwest, and entries are expected to be entertaining, creative, energetic, and visually engaging for an evening audience. We welcome marching bands, dance teams, drill teams, illuminated floats, specialty performance groups, equestrians, cultural organizations, and unique community entries. Think creatively and bring excitement to the streets of downtown Minneapolis! Spectators remember entries that are interactive, colorful, and fun. Please review the general parade guidelines carefully and submit your application early to be considered for placement in the parade.

    For updated information on the parade, please visit the Minneapolis Aquatennial official website

     

    Entry Deadline is June 26, 2026

  • Aquatennial Torchlight Parade Entry Application

    This form is required to apply for parade participation. Organizers will review your entry and may accept or reject it at their discretion. If accepted, information from this application may be used for production, staging, script, and promotional needs. Acceptance notifications will be sent by email.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • ENTRY TYPE

  • ENTRY CLASSIFICATION*
  • ENTRY TYPE DEFINITIONS

    BAND - Marching Band, Drum Corps, Pipe Band

    EQUESTRIAN - Individual Rider, Team, Posse, Pulled Wagon, Miniature

    FLOAT - Self-propelled, Towed, Pushed or Pulled

    GUEST - Invited Guest

    MARCHERS - Military/Veterans, Scouting

    PERFORMANCE GROUP - Dance/Drill Team, Entertainment Unit

    VEHICLE - Antique/Classic, Single/Individual, Car Club, Fire Truck

  • CHECK YOUR ENTRY TYPE*
  • Entry Description

    Please provide a detailed description of your parade entry (150 words or fewer). Include how the entry will look during the parade, noting any decorations, music, costumes or uniforms, entertainment features, and other unique elements. Also provide a brief overview of the organization submitting the application.
  • BAND
  • FLOAT
  • EQUESTRIAN
  • PERFORMANCE GROUP / MARCHERS
  • VEHICLE
  • Any amplified music or sound?
  • Any support vehicles with this entry?
  • ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

    Please download and read entry requirements and parade guidelines before submitting application.
  • As an authorized representative of this organization/business and its participating members, I/we understand and voluntarily accept all risks of bodily injury, illness, death, and/or property damage that may occur to myself/ourselves, participants, spectators, or third parties arising out of or related to participation in the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade.

    With this understanding, I/we agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization, the City of Minneapolis, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, representatives, and affiliated organizations from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or related to participation in the parade or related activities, including claims for personal injury, illness, death, or property damage caused by or connected with my/our participation.

    I/we further understand and agree that this hold harmless and indemnification agreement applies to any and all property, facilities, streets, staging areas, and locations owned, operated, or controlled by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization, and/or the City of Minneapolis in connection with parade activities.

    I/we understand that members of the media may be present during the event and hereby grant permission for the use of photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, livestreams, and other media coverage of my/our participation for publication, broadcast, promotional, advertising, or archival purposes in all forms of media, now known or later developed, without compensation or further approval.

    Furthermore, I/we acknowledge that we have read, understand, and agree to comply with all Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade rules, regulations, guidelines, safety requirements, and instructions provided as part of the application process and participant information materials.

  • Date Submitted
     - -
  • Questions/Contact:  

     

    Randy A. Engelland, Parade Director

    Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization

    Cell: 612-269-9138

    Randy.engelland@donaldson.com

    OR

    Chuck Wallace - Production Assistant

    Cell: 612-516-2582

    cwalla1973mar@gmail.com

    OR

    Upbeat Parade Productions, LLC

    408-629-2520  Email: Ray@upbeatparades.com

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