Rosemount Leprechaun Days Grand Day Parade
Saturday, July 29, 2017
11 a.m.
The Grand Day Parade includes 100 units annually and has a new parade route for 2017.
It will now start at Shannon Parkway and proceed east on 145th St., ending at Cameo Ave.
Community groups and businesses that would like to participate in the Grand Day Parade should submit an application form. Because of staging availability, the parade is limited to 100 units. The fee is $100 for each commercial unit or political candidate unit. The candidate for office must participate in the parade. Payment is due with the registration form. There is no charge for community service groups or nonprofit groups.
I Love a Parade
If you have never been to the Grand Day Parade, you are in for a pleasant treat. The parade typically includes several musical entrants, fire trucks, old tractors, school groups, royalty and plenty of local service clubs and organizations, businesses and other colorful entrants.While attendance is usually high, the route is long enough (and has enough shady spots) that people can typically find a curbside spot or something close to it.
While the little ones can get up near the action, they should stay on the curbs as parade participants are told to hand out candy, not throw it, since we don't want children in the street or anyone to be struck in the head by a wayward Tootsie Roll.
Rosemount Leprechaun Days parade route to change
Leprechaun Days event to run only on 145th Street
For the past few years, the Rosemount Leprechaun Days Committee has looked at ways to improve Grand Day Parade traffic concerns before and after the event.
Having the parade staging area in the Rosemount High School parking lot led to traffic backups along Highway 3 prior to the parade starting.
With the parade ending at Rosemount Middle School, floats had to progress directly onto Highway 3 — an uncontrolled intersection — which created backups and hazardous conditions, according to Police Chief Mitchell Scott.
The committee reviewed the issue more intently after it was known that at some point the Rosemount High School parking lot — the parade’s traditional staging area — would need to be reconstructed.
Although the parking lot work is not happening this summer, the committee decided to alter the route for this year’s 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, parade, which will travel only on 145th Street from its start at Shannon Parkway to its end at Cameo Avenue.
While many floats will continue to use Highway 3 after the parade, planners expect the traffic flow to improve due to stoplights at the intersection.
Parade chairperson Barb Hester said floats can turn north on Cameo toward Rosemount Middle School after the parade to disassemble.
Float lineup on 145th Street will start at Shannon Parkway and extend back to Diamond Path. It is possible some floats will stage on Shannon Parkway north and south of the start.
There are many parade participants who are dropped prior to the parade to stage with their floats. People are encouraged to drop off adjacent to the route. Parking will be available at Rosemount Middle and Elementary schools and Rosemount High School.
The residents living in the neighborhoods north and south of 145th Street will not be able to use 145th for a time before the parade but will have access to other roadways that will get them where they need to go. Affected residents and businesses have already or will soon be notified of the changes by letter.
The new parade route will mean that the neighborhood north of 145th Street from Chili to Cameo avenues won’t need to be blocked off. Scott said isolating the neighborhood for several hours was a concern.
Committee president Steve Ball said eliminating two turns and a long uphill climb from the high school will remove problems for some floats. He also said the new route will allow for more seating for parade attendees.
The application deadline for the parade is June 14.
There is no charge for community service groups or nonprofits. The cost for a business, commercial or political unit is $100 each.
Because of staging restrictions, the parade is capped at 100 units.
Those who want to organize a fundraiser during the parade are required to obtain a vendor roaming permit through the Rosemount Parks and Recreation Department. The permit fee is $100. There are additional restrictions on the permit application. For more information, call 651-322-6010.
For a parade application, go online to www.rosemountevents.com.
Midsummer Faire
Community groups and businesses that would like the participate in the Rosemount Leprechaun Days Midsummer Faire should submit a participation form for consideration of inclusion in the event by May 25.
Display sites are limited, and application fees range from $100 to $300 with additional fees for electrical access. Entrants for the event should submit the participation form and Operator Certificate of Compliance form if they plan to sell goods. Both of those forms can be found at www.RosemountEvents.com/Leprechaun.html, then click on Midsummer Faire tab.
The fair will be from 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 28, and 1-11 p.m. Saturday, July 29, in Rosemount’s Central Park, 2893 145th St. W.
The fair will include:
• Carnival rides and games.
• Beer garden operated by Celts Pub & Grill.
• Musical entertainment that starts at about 7 p.m. July 28 and 29.
• Fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29.
Questions about participating in the event can be directed to Mike Bouchard, Midsummer Faire chairman, at 612-840-9016.
The carnival opens Thursday for Family Fun Night with a $15 wristband ride special. Friday night will have its own $15 wristband ride special, too.
Events
One of the features of Leprechaun Days is that the committee encourages community groups to add to the fun by dreaming up and planning their own events. About 50 of the 60-plus Leprechaun Days events are planned by local organizations, such as the Rosemount American Legion, Rosemount Lions and area churches.
Those who have planned an event in the past still need to submit a form by June 15 for it to appear in the official schedule of events in the Dakota County Tribune Farmington-Rosemount edition. New-event planners are asked to submit the form and attend a committee meeting to discuss the idea.
More information and participation forms are at http://www.RosemountEvents.com.
People can also donate to help offset costs associated with Leprechaun Days. Any contributions received will go toward expenses such as trash removal, insurance, as well as providing top-notch entertainment, fireworks and events for all ages.
For more information about events, contact Mary Jane Schneider, events chairperson, at 651-230-6191 or [email protected].
Contact Tad Johnson at [email protected] or at twitter.com/editorTJ.
Parade participant information
Above are two forms that provide information about parade staging. Parents dropping off young parade participants will use the north entrance to First Baptist Church along Shannon Parkway. Once entering the parking lot, you will be directed to the drop off point and directed to exit out the north entrance. PLEASE CARPOOL!!!!!