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Grand Parade



PLEASE NOTE: Grand Parade Line-Up will NOT be printed.


Date: Saturday October 31st, 2026
Time: 11:00am
Location: Downtown Independence

The Grand Parade is the crowning event of Neewollah, transforming downtown Independence into a bustling hub of excitement that draws thousands of visitors each year. Because it is so popular, seasoned parade-goers often arrive in the early morning hours to claim their front-row seats along the route.

Parade Route Details

The two-hour procession follows a festive path through the heart of the city:

  • Starting Point: The corner of Penn Avenue and Chestnut.
  • The Route: Proceeds from Memorial Hall south on Penn Ave, turns east to Sixth Street, and heads south one block to Maple. From there, it moves west to Ninth Street, with the final leg traveling north on Ninth Street to conclude just before the Independence Middle School.

Before and After the Procession

The festivities extend well beyond the parade itself. Along Penn Avenue, you will find:

  • Carnival Fun: A traditional midway filled with rides and games.
  • Street Acts: Free, live entertainment that brings the downtown area to life.
  • Food Concessions: A variety of local eats available throughout the day.

**Please Note** Political persons permitted to ride in the parade are those persons holding office whose district includes Montgomery County and its contiguous Kansas counties. There are no exceptions to this policy. Additionally under no uncertain terms will any political election/re-election campaign advertising be allowed on the dignitary or his/her staff member. The dignitary must be present the day of the parade; stand-ins will not be allowed.

For questions regarding the Grand Parade please email: neewollahgrandparade@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: Grand Parade Line-Up will NOT be printed.

Grand Parade Marshall

Generalissimo Cody Dixon is thrilled to honor Mary Kadel as she serves as this year’s Grand Parade Marshal.

Mary has been a dedicated Neewollah volunteer for many years, serving on the Neewollah Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025 in a variety of leadership roles. She has contributed to numerous committees, including Musical Props, Cast Party, Queen Neelah Talent, Stage Escorts, and Logo. Mary co-produced The Addams Family and has also appeared in nine Neewollah musicals, most recently The Little Mermaid.

In addition to her involvement with Neewollah, Mary has volunteered with the annual William Inge Festival for many years. She and her husband, Mike, are members of St. Andrew Catholic Church. They have three sons: Andrew and his wife, Lauren, of Lenexa, Kansas, along with their children, Avery, Grayson, and Hayden; Matt and his wife, Ashley, of Wichita, Kansas; and Ryan and Gabby Yeager of Kansas City, Missouri.

Neewollah’s Grand Parade will be held on Saturday, October 31st and will begin at 11:00 am. For more information on events, please visit www.neewollah.com or Neewollah’s Facebook page.




Maps & Routes

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