SEPTEMBER
19 & 20, 2025
2024 Parade Participants
3801 Grand Retirement Campus
Beaverdale Classical Conversations
Bickford Senior Living
Capital Landscaping
Connie Boesen - Mayor
Dale's Wright Tire and Auto Service Inc
Des Moines Police Burial Association
Drake Municipal Observatory
Grace United Methodist Church and Grace Preschool
Heartland Youth Choir
Hoover High School Athletics
Inhabit Iowa
Iowa Sons of the American Revolution
Julie M. Haggerty Polk County Recorder
Lil Brother Construction
Metro Appliance
Osprey Hauling & Junk Removal
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Prime Home Upkeep
Rep. Ruth Anne Gains for IA House Dist. 33
School of Rock
St. Vincent de Paul
The Libertarian Party of Iowa
Westside Appliance Repair
Zion Lutheran Church
AAA ROOFING CO., INC.
Beaverdale Nutrition
Bishop's Elite Martial Arts Academy
Celtic Music Association
Cub Scout Pack 50
Des Moines Oktoberfest
Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Northwest Community Schools
East High Marching Scarlets
Grand Marshal
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Horizon Science Academy
Iowa Food Cooperative
Iowa Veterinary Wellness Center
Koester Construction
Lincoln High School Marching Band
Mike Simonson Des Moines City Council
Petersen for State Senate
Polk County Treasurers Office
Pro-Staff Termite and Pest Control
Roosevelt High School Art Club
Sean Bagniewski for Iowa
Sugar Babies Academy
Troop 93
Westside Early Education, WEE Preschool
Angela Kay Schreader for Iowa HD 35
Beaverdale VFW 9127 Military Honor Guard
Calvin Community
Chris Coleman
DMARC
Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent
Des Moines Soccer Club
Fall Festival Banner & Baxter
Green State Credit Union
Hoover HS Marching Band
Independance Village of Des Moines
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
Ironside Axe Club
Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling
Majestic Mobile Detailing
Northwest Soccer Club
Polk County Republicans of Iowa
Premier Personal Training
Recon Roofing & Construction
Schneider for Sheriff
Snookies Malt Shop
The American Real Estate Company
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Zen Canine
Meet the 2024 Grand Marshall: Francis Boggus
Francis has a true passion and love for the Beaverdale community, and his commitment shows through his dedicated work with various local organizations.
"Francis has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years and truly embodies what’s great about Beaverdale." - Nominator
Here are some of Francis's accomplishments:
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A Community Development Consultant by profession who works on enhancing the quality of life for Iowa communities.
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A member of the Des Moines Planning & Zoning Commission since 2015 and has helped spearhead the process to get approval of the Fareway Grocery Store to open in Beaverdale.
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Longtime member of the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association and a member of the Public Affairs Committee that sponsors the annual National Night Out in Beaverdale and supported the Beaverdale Streetscape Project.
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Chair of the Beaverdale Park Improvement Committee that is fundraising for the renovation of Beaverdale Park.
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A former member of the Beaverdale Fall Festival Committee who helped bring horse riders to the parade and pony rides for youngsters in the past.
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Former member of the Des Moines Human & Civil Rights Commission.
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Long time member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverdale and has served as co-chair of the welcoming committee, the annual Gala Fundraiser and a School Board member.
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Spent 15 years as a Scout leader for Troop 77 and Cub Scout Pack 77 in Beaverdale.
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Former teacher at Hoover High School.
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And most importantly, he LOVES Beaverdale!
Please Join us in Celebrating Francis's service to the neighborhood at this year's festival!
Rules & Regulations
FOR PARTICIPATION
The Festival is not responsible for any injuries that occur to any parade participant, loss or damage to any entry by reason of weather, fire, accident, theft or any other cause. The Festival reserves the right to ask any participant to leave or remove an entry that is disruptive to the parade or in violation of Parade rules.
THE BASICS
> All entries are $100 unless included as part of a sponsorship package. No refunds.
> The parade will go on rain or shine. The parade is only canceled due to severe or dangerous weather.
> Each entity, whether profit or nonprofit, is required to pay a parade entry fee.
> If an umbrella organization has an entry in the parade, they pay $100
> If an affiliate of an organization wants to be in the parade, they must pay $100 for their own entry.
EXAMPLES:
Umbrella Organization
ABC School District
National Political Party
Holy Lord Church
Affiliate
Smith Elementary School
Senator John Doe or Candidate Jane Doe
Holy Lord Church Youth Group
TO APPLY
> Complete and submit the ONLINE application and payment.
> E-sign the online contract form (to be sent following successful payment). You may preview the contract here.
> If you plan to have any motorized vehicle or float in the parade, you must send us proof that your motor vehicle has liabality insurance.
Both your application and payment must be received by September 7th for your entry to be placed in the lineup. Absolutely no exceptions. If you have not received an email registration confirmation by September 7th, please contact us. Email us with any changes to your entry that occur after your application is submitted.
One representative from each parade entry must attend a mandatory safety meeting in order to be allowed to set up - no exceptions. The meeting will be early The meeting will take no more than 30 minutes. If a representative from your entry is not able to attend either meeting, please contact us. Upon registration, you will get a link to the Zoom meeting.
RESTRICTIONS
> Only one motorized vehicle per entry; must be driven by an adult. No exceptions.
> No animals are allowed except dogs and cats, as long as they are on leashes. You are expected to clean up after your animals.
> No one is permitted to solicit or accept donations before, during or after the parade.
> Any vehicles larger than a pickup truck must have wheel walkers next to every wheel.
> Absolutely no candy, water balloons, or other objects may be thrown off vehicles/floats/etc. Candy must be handed to guests.
> All groups will be expected to keep close to the group in front of them.
> Failure to follow any of these rules will result in you being asked to leave the parade route and may disqualify you from future parades.
LOGISTICS BEFORE THE PARADE
> One representative from your group will be required to attend a pre-parade meeting to discuss logistics and safety.
> Staging is in the area near Euclid and Beaver Ave.
> The parade starts at 10 AM on Euclid Ave and Beaver Ave and goes south on Beaver to Allison Ave.
LOGISTICS AFTER THE PARADE
> The parade officially ends at Beaver and Allison.
> Vehicles connected with large groups, like bands, should wait near Allison Ave.
> Vehicles in the parade usually exit the parade route by continuing south on Beaver.
ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN
> Additional Details for arrival and check-in will be available at the pre-parade logistic and safety meeting. If you have questions in the meantime please contact us.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens after I submit my application?
Entries are confirmed by email once your entry has been received. If there is a problem with your entry, you are contacted as soon as possible.
What does the parade fee go towards?
The festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All proceeds of the parade go towards our mission and our invested back into the festival and parade to pay for security and other related expenses.
How is the parade lineup determined?
A lot of time and attention is devoted to lining up the parade entries. Care is taken that musical entries don't drown each other out, and entries are spaced so that no one gets bored.
Usually, first-time entries and entries that missed the previous year are placed toward the back of the lineup. An attempt is made to move each entry up by at least one zone every year. Sometimes there are exceptions, but the goal is to be fair to all participants.
Where is the staging area?
Staging will be on the streets and grassy lots near Euclid and Beaver Ave.
Additional Restrictions?
To avoid anyone being hurt, you must bring people with you to walk along the side of the street and hand out candy. There are no exceptions to this rule. Many first-time participants end up empty-handed by the time they reach Urbandale Avenue, so you need to bring a lot of candy. Check with someone who’s been in the parade before regarding how much. If you are walking, we recommend that you bring a support vehicle for your candy. (No, we are not kidding!)
No one else is permitted to solicit or accept donations before, during or after the parade.
Priceless Advice
Adults should plan something to keep kids busy, focused, and together. Plan on having someone lead an organized 'tour' of the other parade entries. This will keep your group together, have a chance to meet people in other entries and maybe get a few pieces of candy (since you miss this being IN the parade), and give a few out.
Get the music teachers involved so you can sing your school song several times during the parade, do some chants, etc. This will keep kids busy while waiting.
Leave about a fourth of the decorating for the staging area to be completed by the kids alone.
Put kids in charge of taking pictures, etc.
Print copies of the parade FAQs to hand out to all families. Highlight the parts relating to kids and drop-off.
Decide what happens with children at the end of the parade.
Have a sign-in sheet for each group with kids. Include the name of the child, name of a responsible adult (especially if that adult will NOT be in the parade with them), and a cell phone number, if possible, to be used if the child does NOT get picked up on time. Have each adult check their child out at the end of the parade. This way, there is also a record of who participates each year.
How do I avoid the 3% credit card fee?
You may choose to pay by check. When doing so, you will not be charged the 3% credit card fee. This fee solely exists to cover the costs of processing credit card payments.
Can I get a free parade entry?
Complimentary parade entries are limited to public school marching bands and select sponsors when a parade entry is negotiated into the sponsorship package.
When is the Parade?
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 10 am