A new community group will produce the 2026 Waterland Parade – set for Saturday, July 18, 2026 – after Destination Des Moines (DDM) announced it will no longer organize the longtime summer event.
According to information released about the parade, DDM has passed responsibility for the Waterland Parade to a newly-formed group created solely to work on all aspects of the Waterland Festival.
“After many amazing years of volunteer service to our community, Destination Des Moines is not producing the Waterland Parade this year,” the announcement states.
Organizers said the new group will focus on all things related to the Waterland Festival and encouraged residents to follow its new Facebook page for updates and volunteer opportunities.
The Waterland Volunteer Committee is a 100% volunteer-led group of community members dedicated to preserving that legacy and building its future.
“We believe in honoring the rich history of the Waterland Festival while creating new traditions for the next generation,” organizers said.
The announcement also teased additional festivities tied to the parade, noting the possibility of a block party following the event.
No names of individuals involved with the new organizing group have been publicly announced or released at this time. We reached out to the contact email listed for the group but have not yet received a response.
For more info or to volunteers, check out the new group’s website here, or follow them on Facebook here.
