BFR Parade Details & Registration

Saturday, August 19, 2023 (RAIN or SHINE)

If you are registering a Vehicle or Float in the parade, the fee must be paid and registration form (via Google forms) prior to the parade day.   This can be completed and paid online via the online form and Paypal Fee links ( you must select ” Family and Friends in order to complete registration).   Please note: Payments cannot be accepted the day of the parade –( NO EXCEPTIONS.

The ONLY vehicles that are allowed in the Avondale Town Center are vehicles that are Registered in the parade.  All other participants should park their vehicles in one of the approved parking lots (listed below), or find street parking and walk to the Avondale Town Center Staging area.

Following the State of Ohio Covid-19 guidelines there are no restrictions at this time.  If the Ohio Covid health orders change you will be notified.  With that, ‘handouts’ during the parade are allowed.  However, we suggest that everyone is mindful and respects the safety of yourself and others.

Music will be played at the reviewing stand throughout the parade, however if your group has a specific music request, contact Butch Gibson (butchgibson@butchgibson.com).   All music requests must be requested by Wednesday, August 17th, 2022.  

There will be a Reviewing Stand located at Rockdale Academy on Rockdale Avenue, where the judges will be seated. The Master of Ceremony will announce your entry by name and give a brief description of your group. You are allowed to stop briefly while your description is being read. Any band, drill teams, cheerleading squads or musical groups will have 3 minutes to perform at this location. TWO MINUTES ONLY!

8:00 a.m. – Avondale Town Center

Note: please enter the Avondale Town Center from Reading Road (signs will direct you). Your cooperation in arriving early is greatly appreciated. Only vehicles that will be driven IN the parade and participants IN the parade will be allowed in this area.

Approved parking lots for parade participants are Zion Baptist Church, Rockdale Academy (back parking lot), South Avondale Elementary School.  Outside of these parking areas participants are encouraged to find available street parking.  As parking may be limited due to the number of participants in the parade, plan to arrive early to allow enough time to park and walk to the staging area prior to the start of the parade.  It is highly recommended that you carpool as parking is limited.

At the end of the parade, you will be directed to turn right onto Knott Street. DO NOT STOP YOUR VEHICLE. Vehicles are asked to continue onto Prospect Place and then to Reading Road for dismissal. There will be a water station located at the end of Rockdale Avenue. Please do not stop your vehicle to get water. Participants who are walking may go directly to the water table at any time once you’ve passed Knott Street. If you’d like to get some water and you’re riding in a vehicle, please park your vehicle at South Avondale Elementary School on Prospect

Place and walk over.

10:00 a.m. SHARP

Turn right onto Forest Avenue, turn left onto Wilson Avenue, turn left onto Rockdale Avenue. Parade ends on Knott Street. The approximate length of the parade route is 1.7 miles.  A parade and staging area map are attached.

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Each entry will be assigned a section, starting with the letter “A” and a line-up number (1-16). Please appoint ONE representative from your group to check-in at the Registration Table. Once registered, the representative will be provided with your group’s line-up assignment (ex. A-5). We try to provide a parade that showcases each organization without putting groups back-to-back that are doing performances alike or have similar messages. We ask that you remain in the order you are assigned. CHANGES TO YOUR ASSIGNED ORDER ARE NOT ALLOWED!

If you have any questions, please contact:

Trina Tolbert

Black Family Reunion Parade Coordinator

BFRparade1@gmail.com

Thank you for your participation in the 34th Annual Midwest Black Family Reunion Parade. We want everyone to have a good time and we hope to see you again next year.