Des Moines will celebrate Waterland Parade on Saturday, July 19 with fresh route and two Grand Marshals

The Waterland Parade is returning to the streets of downtown Des Moines on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with a new route, local Grand Marshals, and popular returning performers.

The festivities begin with the Junior Parade at 5:45 p.m., followed by the main parade at 6 p.m.

This year’s Grand Marshals are longtime community contributors Tony Hettler and Michelle Fawcett.

The event will feature a packed lineup of crowd favorites including the Husky Alumni Band, the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline, and a return appearance by the Cossacks stunt motorcycle team.

Also making their anticipated appearance are the iconic Seafair Pirates and Seafair Clowns, continuing a tradition beloved by families across the region.

New Route

The 2025 Waterland Parade will follow a new route this year, starting at the Des Moines Marina South Lot and finishing behind the Dollar Tree on 7th Ave South, as shown in the updated parade map:

You Can Still Be In The Parade

Organizers say the list of parade entries continues to grow — and there’s still time to join.

“It’s free to enter the parade,” organizers shared in an announcement. “There’s always room for more people.”

This year features a new route – staging will begin at the Des Moines Marina, with the parade moving east on South 227th Street, then turning north on Marine View Drive South. The parade will pass Wesley Homes and end by dispersing on 11th Place South near Des Moines City Hall.

More information — including entry forms for kids and sponsorship opportunities — can be found at destinationdesmoines.org.

Here’s a video of the 2023 parade: